Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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101. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will report on the destination of Irish agri-food exports post-Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52960/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The latest available CSO trade figures up to August 2022 confirm that Irish agri-food exports continue to grow across all of our key markets - United Kingdom, European Union and a range of third countries including the United States and countries across Asia and the Middle East.

The value of exports to the end of August is up on the same period in 2021 by some €2.2 billion, or 22%, and in volume terms by over 134,000 tonnes, or 2.7%. This continues the strong growth trend in our exports over recent years, as exemplified by exports in 2021 worth €15.5 billion, which represented an 8.4% increase over 2020.

We cannot and do not take this growth performance for granted. There are a range of current and future challenges which will continue to impact international markets, whether that be ongoing Brexit uncertainty or Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. I can, therefore, assure the Deputy that I remain firmly focused on supporting the agri-food sector in meeting these challenges and in achieving its ambitions to grow exports into the future.

A key part of the Government's commitment to achieving our growth ambitions is Ministerial-led Trade Missions. The welcome easing of COVID-19 restrictions in many markets around the world during 2022 has allowed Ministers of State Hackett, Heydon and myself to re-commence in-person Trade Missions to a diverse range of high priority markets.

To date in 2022 we have had Trade Missions to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, United States, Mexico, Germany, Japan, Singapore and Vietnam. Before the end of 2022 further visits to France and UK are planned. These visits include Government-to-Government discussions on resolving key market access issues and, in conjunction with Bord Bia, high level engagements with key customers of Irish food exporters and targeted promotional activities in these markets.

The Department, in consultation with Bord Bia, is currently developing the plan for Ministerial-led Trade Missions in 2023.

The trade performance of the Irish agri-food sector in the face of a number of geopolitical challenges and global emergencies in recent years has been impressive. This is a credit to the resilience and adaptability of our farmers, fishers and food industry. The Government will continue to support the sector into the future so that the benefits of this trade to the Irish economy, and especially to the rural economy, are maximised.