Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

166. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the value of pig meat exports over the past three years to various export markets; the extent to which he expects this to continue, notwithstanding external market changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41723/18]

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

Last year the total value of pig meat exports, taking account of all pigmeat including prepared and preserved, was more than €793 million; an increase from €733 million in 2016. Additionally, in volume terms, exports rose by over 10 million tonnes growing from 265.3 million tonnes in 2016 to 277.1million tonnes in 2017.

In terms of continuation of these trends, expanding market access remains a key priority for my Department.  My officials continue to work in tandem with industry stakeholders and Bord Bia towards increasing market diversification by opening and enhancing access to as many international markets as possible, and maintaining and developing key account relationships across emerging markets.  This is a key part of our response to the challenges and uncertainty posed by Brexit, and is in line with the market development theme of the Food Wise 2025 strategy.

The following table, based on CSO data, shows the total pigmeat exports and exports to some of Ireland's key markets from 2015 - 2017.