Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

292. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount in volume and value terms of total beef exports to Saudi Arabia in 2015 and 2016, in tabular form; the specific increase in volume and value terms that was secured during the current trade mission to the Gulf region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11046/17]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

293. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount in volume and value terms of total manufacturing beef exports to Saudi Arabia in 2015 and 2016; the specific details in volume and value terms secured during the current trade mission to the Gulf region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11047/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 292 and 293 together.

Central Statistics Office figures show the following data regarding beef exports to Saudi Arabia in 2015 and 2016. These beef exports were restricted to intact cuts only and no manufacturing or processed beef was exported as access had not been secured for them before this week.

This week as part of my trade mission to Saudi Arabia, I secured agreement from the Saudi authorities to enhance Irish beef access to now include processed, cooked, minced and bone-in beef to the range of beef products that can be exported from Ireland to Saudi Arabia. This trade had been previously confined to boneless intact cuts of beef. Part of the arrangement agreed this week in Saudi Arabia is also to have a more straightforward way of having plants approved to export to Saudi Arabia whereby they can be listed for export on the approval by DAFM and our subsequent recommendation to the Saudi authorities, should it be accepted.

It is not possible at this point to quantify exactly the effect on beef exports to Saudi Arabia but this week’s outcome is significant boost to Irish exporters by expanding the range of products which they may export. According to the OECD, beef and veal consumption in Saudi Arabia in 2015 was 176,000 tonnes and is forecast to increase thanks to rising populations, higher per capita consumption and rising consumer affluence.

Whilst we exported approximately 97% of our beef exports in 2016 to EU (including the UK), I am conscious of the importance of growing third country markets as a valuable outlet for any increased Irish beef production. Indeed, this is a crucial component of the Food Wise 2025 strategy. Significant progress has been made in this context in recent years and my Department is currently in the process of attempting to secure beef access to a range of third countries including China, South Korea, Ukraine, Thailand and Vietnam. This builds on the opening of some major markets in the last two years including the US, Canada and Japan. This is a vital means of providing Ireland’s beef sector with as many commercial opportunities as possible for Irish beef in addition to our existing European markets.