Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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859. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps taken to ensure ready markets for Irish dairy produce in the future; the action taken or likely to be taken to compensate for any market share globally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42068/20]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Markets for Irish dairy produce, despite significant challenges faced in recent years, in particular the impact of Brexit uncertainty and the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, continue to perform strongly.  My Department remains extremely vigilant in monitoring the current market and emerging trends, and engaging with the industry to ensure a continued strong performance into the future.

In 2019, Ireland exported dairy products to approximately 140 countries totalling over a billion worth of produce. This represented 9.9% growth by value and 12.4% growth by volume compared to 2018.  CSO figures show that dairy exports, which account for 37% of agri-food exports year-to-date, are up by €31m or 0.8% in value to the end of September 2020. This is an excellent performance in light of the difficulties markets have faced this year.  

Irish dairy products have a highly-rated and hard-earned reputation in terms of quality, safety and sustainability, and this gives them a competitive edge in markets over the world. My Department’s ongoing market access activities are focused on the development of new non-EU markets and the retention and enhancement of existing markets. Bord Bia, operating under the aegis of my Department, also play a key role in developing markets through market monitoring, and ongoing trade missions.

Recently, along with Minister of State Heydon, I participated in a series of 'virtual' dairy-focused trade missions, organised by Bord Bia, to five key markets in South East Asia. Engagement with our trading partners will continue into the future with the goal of enhancing global market share of Irish dairy produce.

While Brexit will bring particular challenges for the Irish dairy sector in 2021, the long-term fundamentals of the global dairy market are strong, with growing global demand projected from developing economies with increasing middle classes and growing demands for protein. There is continued confidence that the Irish and EU dairy sector is well placed to gain from the opportunity presented by expanding global demand. My Department has engaged and will continue to engage with stakeholders on these and other important issues.