Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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392. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor production costs in the poultry sector with particular reference to the need to ensure a stable cost base; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61604/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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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. 

Poultrymeat, which is a food high in protein, has seen an increase in demand in recent years and this increase has seen a 10% increase in the average price paid in August 2022, when compared to the average price paid at the beginning of the year.   

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. 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. This is no way to diminish the cost challenges faced by the sector from growers to processors.  

I am also very aware of the contribution of the poultry production sector to Irish agri-food as a whole, supporting significant levels of direct employment as well as their role in supporting rural economies and the wider national economy and I firmly believe that the poultry production sector in Ireland remains viable.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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393. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the future for Irish lamb remains attractive on both the export and domestic markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61605/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Irish sheep farm families produce a world-class product that is in demand across many global markets, and I am very conscious of the important role that the sheep sector plays in the continued growth and development of our agri-food sector. 

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. 

For 2022 TYD (September) the value of sheep meat exports increased by 19.6% on the same period last year, with a 13% increase in volume in that period. 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. 

In line with this, for the week commencing 21st November , the year-to-date average price for sheep meat was 648.93/kg which is a 7% decrease on the same period in the previous year.  

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.

However, I am acutely aware of the 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 announced several measures since this crisis started, to support our farm families and their businesses and I will continue to support the sector.