Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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151. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has examined the capabilities of Irish food and drink SMEs to implement market diversification, particularly in non-English speaking markets; if new measures are being considered to support Irish business to enhance the necessary capabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34584/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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My Department and Bord Bia are engaging in the development of the Government Action Plan on trade diversification, and collaborating across Government to optimise the impact of trade promotion and development initiatives in markets across the globe. A full range of actions are being discussed and my Department will play an active role in the implementation of any relevant actions which emerge through this process.

The importance of market diversification for the agrifood sector is already reflected in my Department’s Food Vision 2030 strategy, and in the work carried out in cooperation with Bord Bia, my Department’s overseas agricultural attachés and the wider Embassy network.

The Government has committed in the Programme for Government to opening up new markets for Irish food products. The market access team in my Department, supported by our Attaché and Embassy network and Bord Bia, focuses on opening and maintaining our access to international markets.

Trade missions are a key tool in encouraging trade diversification, as well as in building on well-established trading relationships. This year, I have visited the United States to highlight the importance of the bilateral trading relationship between Ireland and the US, and have more recently led a trade mission to Korea and Japan, which built on significant progress we’ve made in two of our priority markets in Asia in recent years. Planning is also under way for a further trade mission to China later this year. These trade missions form a crucial part of my Department’s strategy to grow the value of our agrifood exports in international markets.

Bord Bia also provides significant support to food and drink businesses to develop overseas contacts through their network of 14 overseas offices in strategic locations.

Finally, my Department, together with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, co-funded the Capital Investment Scheme for the Marketing and Processing of Agricultural products, which is implemented by Enterprise Ireland. A total of €100m was allocated under this scheme to successful applicants in the meat and dairy sectors to support them to expand and diversify, and to increase sales of higher value-add products in the global marketplace.