The Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue, traveling today for a weeklong trade mission to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
He will be accompanied by Bord Bia officials along with 14 Irish food and drink companies to launch Bord Bia’s new three-year business strategy for the region.
The aim of the visit, which is the first physical trade mission for two years, is to promote and generate business for Irish agri-food companies and enhance Ireland’s reputation as a trusted supplier and trading partner.
Despite market volatility from Covid-19 on trade, Bord Bia said that exports by Irish companies to Saudi Arabia and the UAE were valued at €155 million last year.
Bord Bia has identified Saudi Arabia and the UAE as priority markets in the region, accounting for a combined 50% of current Irish trade in the Gulf region.
Irish agri-food companies exported €310 million worth of goods to the Middle East in 2021, the bulk of which was dairy-based products such as infant formula and milk powder, as well as growing volumes of prepared consumer foods.
The weeklong trade mission to UAE and Saudi Arabia takes in visits to Dubai and Riyadh where Irish companies will meet with large regional retailers and wholesalers with a view to selling more into these markets.
Among those companies are Glanbia, Ornua, Silver Hill Duck, and Lakeland Dairies.
All will exhibit at the Bord Bia stand at GULFOOD 2022 in Dubai, the world’s largest annual food and beverage trade exhibition, and spend time at the ongoing EXPO 2020 in the city.
As well as business promotion, Minister McConalogue will meet with government ministers in both countries to discuss improving overall trade access.
Speaking ahead of the trade mission, Minister McConalogue said:
”Our Food Vision 2030 strategy sets a strong ambition for future value growth in Irish agri-food exports to €21 billion by 2030, based on our premium quality, safe and sustainably produced food products, with family farms as the bedrock of our food system.
“The current market dynamics of the Gulf region, including strong GDP [gross domestic product] and increased consumer spending power, will make it an increasingly important market for our export-focused food industry.”
The minister said, “I’m excited to meet buyers in the region and tell them of the world-class food producers by our exceptional farm families as well as our innovative processors and marketers.”
“The Gulf Region is the food crossroads of the world and we will take every opportunity to tell the great story of Irish food.”
During the trade mission, there will also be a three-week-long retail promotion with high-end supermarket Spinneys which will focus on the quality and sustainability credentials of Irish suppliers and manufacturers.