Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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234. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the sectors within the agrifood business in which he anticipates the greatest opportunities for growth in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21342/17]

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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We are fortunate in having Food Wise 2025, an excellent industry-led strategy which identified opportunities for growth and made clear recommendations for development across and in individual sectors. Significant successes in recent times include the tripling in value of agri food exports to China to over €700 million since 2010 and the double digit growth in exports of Irish Whiskey, which we expect to continue.

There are also significant opportunities across the product ranges elsewhere in the Far East, in Africa, in the Gulf Region and the US, in emerging economies, and  areas of significant population growth. There is also a need to maximise the opportunity in more mature markets to which we already have access.

There are significant challenges around Brexit, of course, and it is clear that while working to consolidate our position on the UK market, we also need to intensify efforts to secure access and increase penetration for Irish food and drink products on EU and international markets. I can assure the deputy that this work will be a continuing priority for my department and its agencies.