2026-07-09

7. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being taken to support the growth and international expansion of Irish-owned food and agrifood businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52234/26]

We all know the importance of the agri sector and in particular the agrifood sector. In the ever-changing geopolitical world we live in today, food safety is becoming even more important, while we must also focus on our economy and growing our exports. What that in mind, what measures are being taken to support the growth and international expansion of Irish-owned food and agrifood businesses?

I thank the Deputy for raising this important point. A key focus of Food Vision 2030, the shared stakeholder-led strategy for the agrifood sector, is to grow the value of Irish agrifood exports in international markets, which, as I outlined earlier, we have been very successful at in recent years. In 2025, Irish exports were recorded at €20.8 billion, with exports to over 180 countries worldwide. Given the dependence of the sector on exports, trade and market diversification are a priority for my Department. Food Vision 2030 reflects the importance of diversifying and developing new markets and new market segments for Irish food and drink products in the UK, the EU and wider international markets. Food Vision also aims to increase the value of exports of sustainably produced and high-quality Irish food and beverages globally. Bord Bia works to promote Ireland’s outstanding food, drink and horticulture produce around the world. Its activities include participation at food exhibitions and trade shows and the running of digital campaigns, retail and restaurant promotions as well as a range of other trade promotions and events including campaigns around the St. Patrick's Day global celebrations. Bord Bia also hosts inward buyer visits on an ongoing basis as well as meetings with key international companies. Ministerial trade missions are led by me and the Ministers of State, Deputies Dooley, Collins and Grealish, over the range of our different responsibilities. They are a key element of the strategy to deliver on the Food Vision priorities to develop and diversify markets and to increase the value of Irish agrifood exports. They also present opportunities to expand Ireland’s trade and investment profile and to promote Ireland’s strong international reputation as a producer of safe, nutritious and sustainable food and drink, for example through extensive business-to-business engagement, networking opportunities and high-level political discussions. The destinations and markets targeted by my Department for trade missions focus on the best opportunities to develop new markets and to promote our agrifood products in collaboration with our stakeholders, which include Bord Bia, Sustainable Food Systems Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. Once market access is in place, which can be a lengthy process, Bord Bia in particular will work to promote Irish produce and assist companies in maximising those opportunities to export.

I welcome the continued success of the agrifood sector. It is one of Ireland's greatest national success stories, supporting thousands of jobs, sustaining rural communities and making an enormous contribution to our economy. We are really proud of our Offaly food companies like Glenisk, Tullamore Dew and others. Irish food has earned an outstanding reputation around the world because of its quality and the commitment of our farmers and food producers. The success of our agrifood sector should give us confidence to be even more ambitious. We should be helping more Irish-owned food businesses to innovate, expand into new markets, create more high quality jobs and compete successfully around the world. That is how to build stronger rural economies and ensure the next generation sees real opportunities in the food industry. Will the Minister outline the long-term vision for achieving that ambition and the next steps his Department and Bord Bia will take to help Irish-owned food businesses to grow, innovate and succeed internationally?

I completely agree with the Deputy. This is a great success story. It is important and we are ambitious. The company the Deputy described from his constituency in County Offaly is a great example, as are many more in the Deputy's county, of the strength of our food companies. The strength of their products and their innovation is that they take farmers' produce to the market place and they are supported by the State through Enterprise Ireland and Bord Bia. There are 13 or 14 agricultural attachés, off the top of my head, who are members of staff of the Department of agriculture, based in our embassies in key markets around the world. That is the level of investment by my Department in growing, emerging markets in south east Asia and beyond, where there are great opportunities. We do that in consultation with food companies because the food companies can identify market opportunities. Bord Bia can also do so. The Department works with the relevant authority to gain market access, which is a lengthy process, and when we get it, I and colleagues go on ministerial trade missions to try to open those markets, create opportunities and make connections for companies.

Ireland's reputation as one of the world's leading food producing nations has been built over generations through quality, innovation and unwavering commitment to high standards. However, it cannot be taken for granted. Around the world, our competitors are investing heavily in research, technology, productivity and new product development and the pace of change is accelerating. If Ireland is to remain a global leader in the next decade, we must continue to invest in innovation, improve productivity and support farmers and food producers to adapt to changing markets and consumer demand. Food Vision 2030, which the Minister mentioned earlier, provides a strong roadmap but ambition must always be matched by action. Will the Minister outline what new initiatives his Department is bringing forward, working with the likes of Teagasc, Bord Bia and industry, to ensure Ireland remains among the world's most competitive, innovative and trusted food producing nations for the next generation?

A fair indication of what we will do in the future is what we have done recently. We went on trade missions such as to Seoul Food in Korea, Japan Expo, China, Germany, London and United Arab Emirates, where we went to Gulfood. Every Minister takes the opportunity of the St. Patrick's Day missions to promote the work, with Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland, of our food and drinks companies. It can be Irish whiskey, dairy produce, beef or other things because we are exporting to more than 180 countries around the world. It is a collaboration. Getting market access is slow. However, when companies come to us about a niche market, such as duck - they can tell us where there is a huge opportunity and they need to get market access - we reflect on it and if the economic return is there, we will put huge effort into engaging with the relevant authorities to get it. That process is slow but when we get it, we have the opportunity to build relationships, like we did when we gained access to Korea for beef.