Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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248. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the implications the opening of Chinese markets after the Covid-19 pandemic has for the Irish food industry; and if he expects this will create further opportunities to trade with China in the upcoming months. [22029/23]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Chinese market represents one of the priority growth markets for Irish agri-food exports. It is worth noting that despite the turbulence of recent years, Irish food and drink exports to China were valued at €722 million in 2022, making this market our sixth largest for agri-food exports. However, the reopening of the Chinese market in recent months following pandemic restrictions does present significant opportunities for the Irish agri-food sector to engage further with this market.

In addition, the reopening of the Chinese market to Irish beef in early 2023 also presents the beef sector with new opportunities which can now be pursued.

In this regard my colleague, Martin Heydon T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for New Market Development, completed a successful Trade Mission to China in April 2023. In conjunction with Bord Bia, Minister Heydon attended the Hainan consumer goods EXPO, supporting Irish companies promoting their products at this large trade fair. He also travelled to Shanghai where he supported Irish exporters and engaged with their key commercial clients.

Next week, I will lead a further Trade Mission to Beijing and Shanghai. In Beijing, I will hold Government-to-Government meetings with my counterparts in the General Administration of Customs China (GACC) and Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA). The objective of these meetings is to further progress Ireland's market access agenda.

I will also support Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia in their commercial engagements with Chinese importers of our innovative and high-quality farm machinery, and safe, nutritious and sustainable food offering.

I will also travel to Shanghai, to attend SIAL, the largest food and beverage trade fair in China, where I will carry out a range of promotional activities with Irish suppliers and their Chinese customers. In particular, this Trade Mission will allow us to showcase Irish beef and seek to capitalise on the reopening of the Chinese market for this premium Irish product.

I believe these activities highlight the Government's ongoing commitment to support our agri-food sector's ambitions in the Chinese market.