Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon targets ‘priority’ markets to protect Irish food exports

The focus – mainly on Asian targets – is part of an urgent trade diversification plan that the Government and state agencies are rolling out in the face of the global trade crisis.

It includes plans to win new and expanded contracts in China to sell Irish beef, lamb and pork, despite Trump’s demands that Europe break trade connections with China.

Mr Heydon told the Sunday Independent that significant potential existed in Asia. Trade officials are targeting new market access in countries such as Korea and Japan, and he plans to visit both countries in June as part of a trade mission.

“There are really significant opportunities for beef in Korea,” he said.

Other priority targets for expansion would include Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia for beef, Saudi Arabia and Algeria for sheep, Laos and India for pigs, Malaysia and Turkey for poultry, and Morocco and Canada for cooked meats.

The only place for Ireland to be is at the heart of the European response

“We have been working extremely hard across my department, engaging with other countries on their requirements in terms of market access, working with state agencies such as Bord Bia, but also with our agri-food businesses, to recognise where the market opportunities are to grow and to expand,” he said.

The Government was also “actively engaged” in work to ratify the EU-Canada trade deal and this was “a top priority”.

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