Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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297. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which new markets continue to be established for Irish food products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6857/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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A key focus of Food Vision 2030, the strategic framework for the development of Ireland's agri-food sector, is to grow the value of our agri-food exports on international markets. Food Vision identifies a number of actions targeted at realising this value growth ambition. These actions include new market diversification and promotion activities.

My Department works closely with Bord Bia and the Irish agri-food sector to realise new opportunities particularly in markets with growing middle-class populations and rising disposable incomes. These markets are characterised by consumers with a significant demand for the high-quality, sustainable and safe dairy, meat, beverages and seafood produced by our farmers, fishers and processors.

A key component of my Department's efforts is a Ministerial Trade Mission programme, which we undertake in conjunction with Bord Bia and industry. In 2024, Trade Missions were undertaken to the USA, China, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam as well as to established European markets in the UK, France, Spain and Germany.

For 2025, trade missions to the USA, Japan (to coincide with the World EXPO in Osaka), Korea, China and other potential destinations are under consideration. This programme of Ministerial Trade Missions provides important opportunities for the Government to enhance the ongoing efforts of Bord Bia and industry in marketing Ireland's high quality, sustainably produced agri-food products in key priority growth markets.

I can assure the Deputy that I am firmly focused on growing export value for the sector, as this is also a key element of my commitment to deliver sustainable incomes for our family farms.