Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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41. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which his Department has assessed the market potential for food and food products globally with a view to identifying those most likely to compensate for any losses likely to accrue from restricted access to the UK market post-Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4910/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Prior to the UK’s decision to leave the EU, my Department placed the pursuit and development of new markets for Irish agri-food exports as a central and ongoing component of Food Wise 2025, the strategy for the development of the agri-food sector over the next decade. The decision of the UK to leave the EU has brought this into sharper focus, and indeed, Brexit is now a standing item on the agenda of the Food Wise High Level Implementation Committee.

Food Wise 2025 outlines the huge potential for growth in agri-food exports to new and emerging markets, particularly in Asia, Africa and the Gulf region.  The value of exports to emerging markets in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Central/South America stood at almost €2.2 billion in 2015.  The value of trade to these markets increased by 82% in the period 2010 to 2015.  Exports to these markets now accounts for 21% of total food and drink exports compared to 16% in 2010. This growth in share of exports occurred during a period when total food and drink exports jumped by more than 45%.

Growth to emerging markets has been led by Asia, with trade growing by more than 250% to €955 million over the period 2010 to 2015. This has been led by China, which recorded a fourfold increase.  Exports to other Asian markets more than doubled over the period, to €300 million. Trade to Africa grew by more than 50% over the period, to €535 million. Exports to the Middle East jumped by a third, to €380 million. Trade to Central/South America was 60% higher, at €91 million in 2015.

In keeping with the priorities outlined in Food Wise 2025, Minister Doyle and I led Trade Missions to Vietnam, South Korea, Singapore and China in early September 2016. I also led a trade mission to Morocco in early November.  During the year senior officials also led missions to Iran, Turkey and Algeria.  This was done in co-operation with Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland.  There were also participants from the agri-food sector on these missions.

I will lead a Trade Mission to the Gulf Region at the end of February. This will cover the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.  My Department is currently working with Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland to finalise the arrangements for this mission, which will include participants from across the agri-food sector and will feature extensive trade contacts as well as political discussions with my counterparts in the host countries.

The mission will serve to enhance and improve our existing levels of market access in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.  It will also promote Ireland’s reputation as a producer of high quality, safe and sustainably produced meat and dairy products in the Gulf region.  I am also considering a range of other destinations for the remainder of 2017, although no decision has yet been made in terms of content or timing.  Again, markets in Asia, Africa and America are likely to feature prominently in these considerations, and I am of course ready to respond as appropriate to other opportunities that may arise.