The stated focus is on expanding Government co-operation, broadening market access in both countries and promoting high quality Irish agri-food produce. The trade missions encompass high level ministerial meetings with Chinese and Korean officials as well as market development work at high profile trade events in Beijing, Shanghai and Seoul. Ministers also engaged with Enterprise Ireland during the trade mission on matters relating to agricultural science and biotechnology.
Speaking ahead of the trade mission, Minister McConalogue said: “This is my second time to visit both China and the Republic of Korea in the past 18 months, which signifies the importance we place on both China and Korea as key trading partners for Ireland. I intend to use this trip to further develop these relationships to capitalise on the increasing consumer demand for high quality food products in these markets and the significant opportunity for the Irish agri-food sector that this presents.”
Refencing the anti-subsidy investigation, Minister McConalogue said: “I am, of course, aware of the recent announcement by China of its intention to initiate an anti-subsidy investigation into European Dairy exports. I am satisfied that European and Irish dairy exports are fully compliant with World Trade Organisation Rules. While discussions on trade matters are led by the European Commission, this mission will provide an opportunity to raise the matter with my counterpart in China.”
Bord Bia CEO Jim O’Toole said the focus of the trade mission to China is about deepening existing key trade relationships with customers and creating new business opportunities. “China has a growing middle class with high disposable incomes, creating a new consumer base who have both access to sophisticated digital platforms and an increased interest in premium food products. Irish exporters are ideally placed to meet these consumer demands.” Jim O’Toole added that ever since the trade mission to the Republic of Korea in 2019, Bord Bia has been working to leverage opportunities for Irish exporters and producers to build their market share. “Bord Bia’s 2024 Korean Consumer Research study has identified the Republic of Korea as a priority market for Irish beef given that Korea is the world’s fourth biggest beef importer, purchasing 500,000 tonnes per year. This represents opportunities for Irish beef suppliers, particularly for cuts such as short rib and the outside and inside skirt which are popular in Korean BBQ.”
Earlier this summer, Bord Bia hosted eight beef buyers from the Republic of Korea on a tour of Ireland, visiting beef farms and meat processors. Bord Bia is also currently running an EU co-funded campaign to promote Irish beef and lamb in the Republic of Korea, Japan, China and the US. The campaign is valued at €4.8 million over the three years 2022, 2023 and 2024.