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Multi-city US trade mission

The US is one of our largest agri-food trading partners, worth €1.6bn in exports in 2023. Senator Pippa Hackett, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine recently led a trade mission there, in collaboration with Bord Bia, and Irish food and beverage exporters.

Austin, Houston and Seattle were the destinations, and the focus was on consolidating our trading relationship, and promoting Irish foods and beverages.

During the four-day mission, the minister met with leading US retail, foodservice and distributors who are customers of Irish food and drink. And this involved the promotion of Irish dairy, meat, prepared consumer foods and beverages. The sustainability of Irish food exports and the continued growth of the Irish organic sector were also highlighted. She also attended a ‘Spirit of Ireland’ event hosted by Bord Bia in partnership with the Irish drinks industry. This event focused on building awareness of Irish spirits within the US alcohol trade industry and priority target customer accounts. It took place in Austin, and attracted around 85 alcohol buyers and representatives from 18 Irish spirit brands.

Speaking on the final day of the trade mission from Seattle, the minister said that there is further potential in the US for Irish agri-food and beverages exporters. She added that from her discussions with senior leaders in the US retail, foodservice and wholesale distribution chains, there is a strong message coming through on environmental sustainability and animal welfare which now plays a key role in consumer choice.

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