Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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898. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which conditions in the poultry industry continue to be lucrative for producers; the degree to which efforts are ongoing to ensure the sustainability of the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39309/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Poultry meat, which is a food high in protein, has seen an increase in demand in recent years.

Poultry throughput for 2021 was slightly down on 2020 (-1.1%) with a total of 110.4 million birds processed. The current average price of 242.67 cents/kg is the highest level seen in recent years, seeing an increase of just under 10 cents/kg on the previous month. 

Poultry is normally reared under contract to processors, for a pre-agreed price, and therefore poultry producers are not typically subject to the same price fluctuations as other farmers.  

CSO figures show that while the volume of exports fell by 29.3% to 94,295 tonnes in 2021, the value of Irish poultry exports for 2021 fell by 7.2% to just under €237m.

The UK (€181m) accounted for 76.5% of exports. France (€8.4m), Germany (€6.5m), Netherlands (€14.8m) and Ghana (€5m) also featured prominently as export destinations. Securing market access and diversifying trade remains a key aim for my Department. Developing market opportunities at home and abroad is one of the goals of Food Vision 2030. 

As ofApril 2022 the year-to-date value of poultrymeat exports was 67.2% higher than the same period of 2021, at €106.8 million. 

As in other meat sectors, global trade conditions will be crucial in determining the outlook for the Irish poultry sector over the medium to longer term.  

I am aware of the pressures being faced by many in the agri-food sector due to the increase in input costs, exacerbated by the impact of the illegal war in Ukraine. The Department continues to monitor the markets and any impacts on the agri-food sector.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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899. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which markets remain lucrative throughout Europe and further afield for Irish lamb and lamb products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39310/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Irish sheep farm families produce a world-class product that is in demand cross many global market. 

According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO) sheepmeat exports worth approximately €385 million, or 57,737 tonnes were exported in 2021, an increase of 8.3% in value on 2020. The overall market outlook  for Irish and EU lamb prices for 2022/2023 remains reasonable, although Irish lamb prices are forecast to experience some decline from the record high levels received in 2021.

Nonetheless, for the week commencing 27 June, the year-to-date average price for sheep meat was 730.55c/kg which is a 18% increase on the same period in the previous year. 

I am, however, acutely aware of the potential pressures being faced by many sectors across the agriculture industry due to the increase in input costs. Since the invasion of Ukraine, I have taken a proactive approach to dealing with the massive challenges arising for the agri-food and fisheries sector.

Farming is not alone in dealing with these challenges, but our sector is particularly exposed as a result of the invasion. I have taken a proactive approach, through the various measures I have announced since this crisis started, to support our farm families and their businesses and I will continue to do so.

Securing market access and diversifying trade remains a key aim for my Department. Developing market opportunities at home and abroad is one of the goals of Food Vision 2030. Irish sheep meat exports continue to thrive.

The top three markets in terms of value last year were all in the European Union (France, Germany and Sweden).

In terms of international markets, I was delighted to announce in April the agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on a veterinary health certificate for the export of Irish sheep meat to the US.  Securing agreement on a bilateral health certificate allows Irish sheep meat plants to formally apply for approval to export to the US. I hope to see exporters take advantage of this significant opportunity as soon as possible.