Agriculture minister holds trade talks in Japan
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has today (Wednesday, June 11) commenced the final leg of the agri-food trade mission to the Republic of Korea and Japan, which is being delivered in collaboration with Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland.
The Korean leg of the trade mission concluded yesterday, the focus of which was a series of business meetings and attendance at Seoul Food, where five Irish beef clients attended including: Liffey Meats; Dawn Meats; APB; Kepak and QK Meats.
Minister Heydon noted: 'Following the successful launch of Irish beef in the Korean Market in 2024, I was delighted to see the arrival of the first consignment of Irish beef from Liffey Meats in Korea during the week.
'I am pleased to note this new addition to the Irish meat companies already exporting to Korea.'
The minister acknowledged the significant opportunities for Irish companies as the Republic of Korea is the world's fourth biggest beef importer, purchasing 500,000t per year and has the highest per-capita consumers of beef in Asia (17kg per year).
Minister Heydon also said that he was pleased with a senior officials' meeting in Seoul to discuss trade and cooperation opportunities between the Republic of Korea and Ireland, at which his officials were able to stress that they would welcome the approval of further meat plants to supply beef.
Agriculture minister in Japan
The focus of the minister's engagements in Japan this week, will be to raise awareness of Irish agri-food products, including Irish drinks categories and to maintain and grow market access for Irish produce.
In 2024, €162 million of Irish food and drink was exported to Japan.
Speaking from Tokyo, Minister Heydon, said: 'Japan is an important trading partner for Ireland, the third largest destination for Irish agri-food exports outside of Europe.
'In recent years we have seen this relationship grow and strengthen, across a broad range of products.
'I was delighted to see Irish Premium Oysters recently launched into the Japanese market and to see demand continue to increase for Irish agri-food products.
'Our engagements in Japan this week, provide us with the opportunity to showcase Ireland as a like-minded and export-focused trading partner, with ambitions to grow the value of our quality food and drink exports to international markets,' the minister added.
Also commenting, Bord Bia CEO Jim O'Toole, said: 'Japan is a premium market for Ireland and this trade mission is an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to our Japanese customers. Showcasing premium Irish produce is an important step in this process.'
Japanese market
More than a decade ago Japan was identified by Bord Bia as a priority market with high potential growth for Irish dairy, drinks, meat and seafood products.
Irish agri-food exports to Japan have exceeded €1 billion since 2019.
Japan is the number two beef importer in the world and in recent years, Irish beef tongue has surged in popularity, with restaurant chain Negishi selling beef tongue at 49 locations across Japan to 100,000 customers per week.
Irish seafood will also feature this week, with Irish oysters returning to the market for the first time in five years.
Irish drinks, particularly whiskey, has also seen a surge in popularity in recent years, with exports to Japan growing 32% to €10.9 million in 2024.
Japan is a priority market for Irish cheddar, with a number of Irish dairy companies travelling on the trade mission to engage in C-suite meetings with Japanese customers.
During this week's trade mission Bord Bia will host a 'Meet the Makers' drinks event with the aim of connecting drinks importers and distributors with ten Irish drinks companies along with C-suite meetings with key dairy companies.
Jim O'Toole added: 'This week is all about deepening relationships with key trade partners that will continue to yield return in the coming years for Irish farmers and food and drink manufacturers.'
Republic of Korea
Total agri-food exports to South Korea amounted to €39 million or 1% of all Irish agri-food exports by value amounting to 11,000t.
In 2024, dairy produce represented the largest segment of Ireland's agri-food export value to South Korea worth €15 million. Pigmeat was the second most valuable export at €7.4 million.
Bord Bia and DAFM opened offices in 2019, joining the Embassy of Ireland in Tokyo.
Japan is the third largest destination for Irish agri-food exports outside of Europe (after the US and China). In 2024, exports were valued at €173 million, an increase of 181% since 2014, and an increase of 49% since 2018.
The EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement has been in force since 2019. Over time 85% of EU agri-food exports (in tariff lines) will be allowed to enter Japan entirely duty-free.
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