Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 406: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the number of countries to which Irish beef, pigmeat and lamb are currently exported; the extent to which new markets have been established or old markets lost; the countries with which Ireland has to compete on such markets; the degree to which Ireland is holding or losing it's competitive edge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25976/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The following chart sets out the number of countries to which Irish beef, pigmeat and lamb are exported:

Beef

The distribution of Irish beef exports has undergone significant change since 2000. Irish exports have gone from a position where only 50% of exports went to other European markets in 2000 to 97% in 2007. The principal factors behind this change in market distribution have been the emergence of a significant market deficit in the European beef market combined with an improved market position for Irish beef in key markets. This development represents significant progress for the Irish beef sector as the EU market continues to offer the highest market returns to Irish exporters on a consistent basis. The improved market position for Irish beef is highlighted by the fact that to date in 2008 Irish steer prices stand at 100% of the EU-15 average R3 male cattle prices compared to 90% in the early 2000s.

Pigmeat

The UK market remains the key destination for Irish pigmeat accounting for over half of total exports annually.

Continental EU markets such as Germany, France and Italy also continue to provide an important outlet for Irish pigmeat. In terms of International markets for Irish pigmeat, the key destinations include Japan, Russia, South Korea and the United States. Other markets to emerge over recent years include China which provides additional opportunities for Irish exporters to the region.

No significant markets have been lost for Irish pigmeat over recent years.

Sheepmeat

As the following table shows the market distribution of Irish sheepmeat exports has changed significantly since 2000:

There has been a gradual decline in the reliance on the French market for Irish sheepmeat with 55% of total shipments destined for that market in 2007 compared with 75% in 2000.

At the same time the UK has emerged as an increasingly important market outlet and now account for over one quarter of total shipments. While this trade initially largely consisted of mutton, recent years have seen a strong expansion in the volume of lamb being exports to the UK.

The increasing level of deboning evident within the sheepmeat sector has facilitated increased shipments of lamb cuts to markets in Northern Europe, Belgium and Germany. In 2007, around 30% of total sheepmeat exports were in boneless form, which compares to just 13% as recently as 2000.