Written answers

Wednesday, 13 July 2016

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Food Exports

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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254. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which further overseas markets continue to be identified for Irish meat, dairy and fish products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21637/16]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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258. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which his Department continues to monitor the future prospects for the beef, sheep, lamb, poultry and fish sectors here, in the context of global market trends and Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21641/16]

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 254 and 258 together.

Irish agrifood exports have increased from less than €8 billion in 2010 to an estimated €10.8 billion in 2015. Dairy exports in 2015 were valued at over €3.2 billion and the dairy sector is by a number of measures the country’s largest indigenous industry. 2015 was also a very successful year for meat exports. According to Bord Bia, overall exports of beef, sheepmeat, pigmeat and poultry increased by €140 million to more than €3.5 billion. Seafood exports also increased in 2015 and are now valued at a further €560 million.

The target in Food Wise 2025 is to increase the overall value of agrifood exports by 85% to €19 billion by 2025. The Department continually monitors trade statistics produced by Bord Bia and the CSO, in order to analyse the destination of exports and, together with industry, to identify new market opportunities. Third Country markets are an increasingly important alternative outlet for the industry. The development of new and alternative markets, given the changing global demographics and emerging economies in Asia and elsewhere, is a crucial component of the Food Wise 2025 Strategy. As an exporting country, accessing new markets is crucial to the long-term sustainability of our agri sector.

In the medium and long term global demographics will result in strong global demand for meat and dairy products and my role as Minister is to facilitate market access so that Irish exporters can take advantage of business opportunities as they arise. Taken together these factors provide a great opportunity for increasing the exports of high quality, safe and sustainably produced Irish meat, dairy and fish production.

I am acutely aware of the need to develop as many market outlets as possible for Irish meat, seafood and dairy products. I will continue to work with stakeholders to raise the profile of the Irish agri-food sector generally, in emerging markets in the Far East, North Africa, the Gulf States and elsewhere. In this context I intend to lead a Trade Mission to China, Vietnam and Singapore in September to further promote Irish food and drink in the region. My Department has also re-configured its network of agricultural attachés abroad, with an enhanced role in relation in agri-food trade and Bord Bia is also presently expanding its network of offices abroad, with a focus on new and emerging markets. This will also enhance our identification of new markets abroad.

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