Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Developing and diversifying markets and market segments is identified as a priority in our shared strategy for the sustainable development of the agri-food sector, Food Vision 2030. 2023 was another successful year for beef exports, totalling over €3 billion in value and 478 thousand tonnes.

Ireland has access to all EU markets and a range of non EU or third country markets. My Department has invested considerable efforts, particularly since the Brexit vote in 2016, in achieving, maintaining, improving, and restoring access to third country markets, including for beef. That process can be detailed and painstaking but we must recognise that the importing country sets the requirements, sets the pace of negotiations, and ultimately makes the decisions in terms of granting market access.

My Department works in partnership with industry and Bord Bia to identify market access priorities. There has been significant activity in relation to priority third country markets for beef, with recent examples being:

- The resumption of beef access to China in January 2024.

- The progress of beef access through the Korean parliament following key meetings during the whole of government trade mission in 2023.

- A successful audit for beef access to Thailand leading to current negotiations on export certification.

An intensified programme of ministerial trade missions to promote Irish food and drink in EU and third country markets is an essential component of the market diversification strategy and has been going continuously since 2017. In 2023, there were third country trade missions to China, Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines, with further missions planned to the USA, China, and a number of South East Asian markets for 2024.

While my Department’s role is to open up international markets in consultation with stakeholders, it is for industry - with the support of my officials and Bord Bia’s marketing expertise - to develop the potential opportunities available to it in those markets. The time frame for reaping the benefits is always a commercial decision for export enterprises.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has had existing access to Algeria for dairy product exports for many years including milk powders through the certification arrangements that my Department has in place with their counterparts in the competent authority in Algeria.

2023 dairy exports to Algeria amounted to €100 Million (31,648 tonnes). The main exports are cheddar and skimmed milk powder. Algeria was the 13th largest export destination country for Irish dairy in 2023. Details in relation to market access arrangements for all countries are available through the Market Access portal on my Department's website on gov.ie

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government (PfG) recognises the economic and social role of agriculture, as our most important indigenous industry, in promoting balanced regional development. It commits the government to protecting and enhancing the incomes and livelihoods of family farms; approximately 55 per cent of which are engaged in specialist beef production. The government is working consistently to support the beef sector and to improve animal health and welfare standards.

The sole reference to live exports in the PfG document simply acknowledges that this trade plays a significant role in stimulating effective price competition in the domestic supply chain. Other functions of the live trade are providing an alternative market outlet for farmers with different types of production systems as well as meeting demand for different ages and breeds in destination markets. The PfG makes no mention of either the destination or composition of live cattle exports.

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Bord Bia 'Export Performance and Prospects Report 2023 - 2024' is a useful source of information in relation to export performance for the sector. I am pleased to note that the value of Irish food and drink exports surpassed the €16 billion mark for the second year in a row and that the sector’s overall exports when non-food products are included was €18.5 billion.

The trading of live animals internationally continues to provide an important alternative market for the Irish livestock industry with exports valued at an estimated €265 million during 2023, an increase of 13%. Cattle exports account for most of the live export trade, with 332,000 animals exported in 2023, valued at €190 million. The number of cattle traded increased by 14% when compared to 2022 levels. Trade with Northern Ireland for both finished cattle and those for further production also recorded an improvement in the second half of 2023 when compared with 2022, representing an increase of 8% in export value. Exports to Northern Ireland accounted for 59% of the total share of live export value by destination in 2023, equating to €112.1 million.

Tighter cattle supplies in the UK, a favourable exchange rate, and a growing price differential between Irish and UK deadweight cattle prices all provided some increased positivity in this trade.