22-05-2025
Heydon: ‘Planning underway for trade mission to China this year'
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has told the Dáil that his department is planning a 'significant trade mission' to China in late autumn (2025).
In response to a question from Fine Gael TD, John Clendennen this week (May 2025), the minister also confirmed that he will attend 'trade receptions' in London and Paris.
Next month (June 2025), Minister Heydon will travel to Japan and South Korea, where will he attend the Seoul Foods Expo, the fourth largest food exhibition in Asia.
Last month (April 2025), the minister led a visit to the US in collaboration with Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland.
Minister Heydon said: 'During this visit, which included Washington DC, Kentucky and Chicago, I participated in 11 promotion events as well as key political meetings with senior US political representatives, including my counterpart, Brooke Rollins, the secretary of the US Department of Agriculture.'
Minister Heydon
Deputy Clendennen told the minister that the success of the agri-food sector 'did not come about by accident',
He said: 'It came about through strategic planning, investment and branding, marketing and promotion. We need to reassure the sector that that will continue long into the future.
'I see three strands on which we need to focus. Promoting Irish produce overseas is certainly one of them. We need to see how we can further assist food producers. We also need to encourage Irish supermarkets to stock more Irish produce where possible.'
The minister explained that Food Vision 2030, the shared strategy for the agri-food sector, is aiming to increase the value of exports of sustainably produced high quality Irish food and beverages globally.
According to Minister Heydon, agri-food export value reached a record €19.26 billion in 2024.
He said: 'When other countries talk about tariffs and changes to our trade flow, it probably brings a focus in this country from people who do not always recognise that we export 90% of the food and drink we produce.
'It is highly sought after at home and abroad. Any interruptions to that trade have impacts.'
'Given our dependence on the agri-food sector in regard to exports, trade and market diversification, it is a key priority for my department and myself,' Minister Heydon explained.
