Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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698. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps being taken to maximise Irish food exports to the Single Market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2458/21]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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699. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if planned post-Brexit diversification of food exports includes increasing exports to EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2459/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 698 and 699 together.

Developing increased market access and furthering trade opportunities abroad is an integral part of my Department’s response to the ongoing challenge of Brexit. We have been particularly active on the European dimension of this response. For example, additional funding provided to Bord Bia has been used to further its Market Intensification Programme, and to support promotional campaigns for Irish beef in Germany and the Netherlands. Bord Bia has also been providing information to companies on how to establish a presence in other EU countries, and using its network of offices to build long-term relationships in those markets, including through participation in trade fairs.

Trade missions have always played a key role in customer relationship building. Of course, the traditional "in person" visits are not currently feasible, so my Department, in collaboration with Bord Bia, led a series of virtual Trade Missions and business meetings during the 4th quarter of 2020. As part of this exercise, Minister Heydon and I addressed a number of events organised by Bord Bia, including a webinar with key German customers that involved its top six retailers, and a virtual trade reception hosted by the Irish Embassy in Paris.

This highly innovative approach has been met with positive feedback from all participants, with more such events planned for 2021. We will continue to avail of every resource in furthering market access and trade advancement in Europe and further abroad. Indeed, the Government's focus on, and commitment to, this objective has also been illustrated by its appointment of my colleague, Martin Heydon T.D., as Minister of State with specific responsibility for this area. In addition, my Department's International Trade activities are being re-organised and further developed, as we deal with the twin challenges of Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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700. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the countries that are the main focus of Irish food exports and trade diversification post Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2460/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Gaining access to new markets and opening new trading opportunities for Irish exports while simultaneously strengthening established export markets has been and remains integral to my Department’s strategic approach to the development of the agri-food sector.

According to the latest figures from the CSO, exports of agri-food products from Ireland to the 26 EU countries has grown by 26% in value in recent years, from €3.8 billion in 2016 to €4.75 billion in 2019. Final year-end figures for 2020 will be available in mid February. I consider that there is significant room for further growth in Irish agri-food products to EU markets. While Europe's overall food demand is not forecast to increasing dramatically, due to stable or falling populations, these are stable, affluent markets which are well placed to appreciate our premium quality food and drink offering.

Between 2016 and 2019, Irish agri-exports to third country markets (those outside of the EU and the UK) increased by nearly €700 million to a value of €4.3 billion. In that same period, the value of Irish meat exports to third country markets grew by nearly 50% to a value of €575 million. The growth of exports to third countries has occurred in concert with my Department’s market diversification efforts which have been considerably increased since the Brexit vote in 2016. Market access or enhanced access for various products has been achieved in a variety of key markets including China, USA, Japan, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Ukraine.

Ministerial-led trade missions are an important feature of the development and diversification strategy for the agri-food sector. As announced recently, our trade mission agenda for 2021 is planned to include the following priority markets:

- In Asia - China, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam

- In North America – the United States of America and Mexico

- key European destinations such as Italy and the UK

- and an exploration of markets in West Africa.

The format of each mission will be adapted to suit the prevailing Covid conditions, but I am hopeful that it will include in-person trade missions.

Our enhanced focus on market development is a key part of my Department’s response to the twin challenges of the economic impact of Covid-19 and Brexit.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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701. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he foresees room for growth in Irish food exports to the continental EU post Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2461/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Exports of agri-food products from Ireland to the 26 EU countries has grown by 26% in value in recent years, from €3.8 billion in 2016 to €4.75 billion in 2019. Dairy products, at €1.76 billion in 2019, are our largest export and have increased in value by almost 50% since 2016. Final year-end figures for 2020 will be available in mid February.

I consider that there is significant room for further growth in Irish agri-food products to EU markets. While Europe's overall food demand is not forecast to increasing dramatically due to stable or falling populations, these are stable, affluent markets which are well placed to appreciate our premium quality food and drink offering.

Along with my colleague Minister of State Martin Heydon, I will be supporting Bord Bia's engagement with key retail and food service customers in key markets during 2021.