merrion street

8 Days, 4 Countries, 2 Ministers, 1 Mission
Visit will promote Irish food and drink in China, Vietnam, Korea and Singapore

The Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine Michael Creed T.D. along with Minister of State Andrew Doyle T.D. will lead some [30] Irish agri-food and fisheries companies on a week-long trade mission to Asia, commencing this weekend. The visit begins tomorrow [Saturday 3rd September] and will see Minister Doyle head to Vietnam followed by Korea with Minister Creed departing on Monday to lead the visit to China and Singapore.

In advance of his departure Minister Creed commented that, “I have chosen Asia for my first trade mission as Minister because I believe it offers enormous potential for the Irish food and drink industry to realise the targets set in the FoodWise 2025 strategy. Asia is already a key driver of Irish food exports in recent years, increasing threefold since 2010 to reach €954 million last year. Exports to China alone grew by 16% in 2015 maintaining its position as our fifth most important market and our second largest for dairy and pork. Diversification of markets is a key goal of this strategy and Asia represents one of our major potential growth areas. This is even more important now as we face the uncertainty which the Brexit decision brings for exporters”.

This region is a major importer of agri food and fisheries products and this mission provides Irish companies with an exciting opportunity to increase their profile there and build relationships with potential business partners and buyers. Minister Creed continued “The Trade Mission will cover four Countries over eight days with a total of over seventy key engagements. I am pleased to be accompanied by some [30] Irish companies on the mission, along with senior officials from my Department and from State Agencies in the agri-food and fisheries sector, including Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, Sustainable Food Systems Ireland and the Seafisheries Protection Authority.”

Commenting on the Trade Mission, Minister Doyle said, “In order to succeed in Asia it is vital to develop relationships at government and business levels and to be guided by the best consumer and market insight available. I will use my bilateral engagements to remind our host countries that we can provide safe, secure and sustainably produced food and to assist Irish companies looking to gain new business there”
The key focus of the trade mission will be;
Showcasing Ireland as a source of high quality sustainably produced dairy products
Progressing market access for Irish meats in China, Vietnam and Korea
Expanding opportunities for our seafood sector
Promote Ireland as strategic partners for agri-food and agri-services
Facilitating and fostering increased business opportunities for Irish companies.
Commenting on the visit Bord Bia CEO Aidan Cotter said “Bord Bia’ s Consumer Insight Team had done considerable research work in the region in advance of the trade mission to enable exporters target growth areas in what is a diverse cultural and culinary region. In China alone there are eight culinary traditions while Vietnamese food has Chinese, French and American influences born of its rich historical past. In an area of extreme weather events, issues such as food security, food safety and sustainable food production are at the forefront of Asian consumers` minds and the Irish food industry can respond to these concerns with Bord Bia`s Origin Green sustainability programme.”

In addition to the food producing companies, twelve non-food and agritech client companies of Enterprise Ireland are also participating on the trade mission. Agri-technologies is a priority sector for Asia Pacific with the current penetration of clients primarily focused on Australia, New Zealand and Korea. However, there is a growing presence in China, Vietnam and ASEAN markets, as we see an increasing demand for sophisticated products and technology. The top Agritech companies currently operating in the region include McHale, Dairymaster, Keenan, Tanco and SAMCO. The Ministers along with Enterprise Ireland will also be meeting with Asian Food companies during the week that are looking at Ireland as a location for long term food R&D Collaboration with Irish companies, or as a location for dedicated food manufacturing.

“This is further evidence of the ongoing success of Irish companies in exporting services and technology to Asian markets where non-food exports for the ASEAN region are €180m. Attracting this foreign direct investment into Ireland is the natural progression in capitalising on Ireland’s reputation for food safety systems and quality raw materials” said Michael Cantwell Divisional Manager of Enterprise Ireland’s Food Division.

China
The focus of the visit to China will see a two-stop promotional visit to Beijing and Shanghai. In Beijing Minister Creed will meet with political counterparts in Beijing on Wednesday 7 September with the key aim of furthering Ireland’s collaboration with China on a range of agri-food issues while also advancing Ireland’s market access requests.

The keynote event of the week will come next Thursday 8 September when the Minister will co-host the “China-Ireland Global Food Partners” event in Beijing which will focus on further increasing Ireland’s profile as an exporter of sustainably produced premium food. Bord Bia CEO Aidan Cotter will outline the assurance Origin Green give to Chinese buyers and Enterprise Ireland and Sustainable Food Systems Ireland will also set out the expertise it can bring to the Chinese agri-food industry. A Pork and Seafood Showcase will take place in the Irish Embassy to highlight the role of meat and seafood exports to China which will be attended by around 75 targeted guests and provide an opportunity to develop business connections between Irish companies and the select group of invitees from the Chinese food industry.
Commenting on the priorities for discussion in Beijing, Minister Creed said “the visit to Beijing and Shanghai will be focussed on further raising the profile of the Irish dairy, meat and seafood sectors. Both our seafood and pigmeat sectors have seen their exports double in the last three years while our dairy exports now there mark China as our second largest export market after the UK. This is a market with further room for growth and I am delighted to be assisting Irish exporters in exploiting the opportunities here. I will of course also be seeking to progress access for Irish beef products and will be raising it with Chinese political counterparts next week while Minister Doyle will be doing likewise when meeting with his Korean and Vietnamese counterparts. I am also pleased to be here to assist Bord Bia in the launch of their Origin Green message and website for the Chinese market. This has proved to be a key communications tool in communicating the best that Ireland has to offer in terms of sustainability”.
Vietnam
A key element of the visit the first ever Irish agri-food trade mission to Vietnam will be further raise awareness of Ireland in this growing market. This will be the main focus of an Ireland-Vietnam agri-food seminar in Hanoi on Monday 5th September. The event will include speakers from Vietnamese companies doing business with Ireland as well as from Irish companies and Agencies located in Ireland seeking to further increasing Ireland’s presence in the fast growing Vietnamese market. Between 2010 and 2014 exports of Irish food increased by a factor of four and while this comprised mostly of dairy products it was also made up of pigmeat, beverages, seafood and prepared foods.

Commenting on the seminar, Minister Andrew Doyle said “I am delighted to be co-hosting this high-level event with my Vietnamese counterpart which is aimed at expanding Ireland’s footprint in this key target market for Irish agri-food exports. This event is already attracting huge media interest in Vietnam which will really help us to sell the image of Ireland as a premium producer of sustainable food. The event will also be a key networking opportunity for Irish companies with major Vietnamese buyers. This event will follow bilateral discussions which I will be having with the Vietnamese Minister for Agriculture at which I will be formally submitting Ireland’s application for beef access”.

Korea
After Vietnam, Minister Doyle will depart for Korea for a three-day promotional visit which will include political bilateral with counterparts in the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. Key among the issues here will be to discuss areas for deeper collaboration between both Countries in the agri-food. Korea is already a fast growing market for Irish dairy, pork and seafood exports and the Minister will be examining new opportunities to expand these.

Singapore
In Singapore, Minister Creed will officially open the new Bord Bia office there. This office will double Bord Bia’s presence in Asia by adding to its existing office in Shanghai and will service South East Asia, a region of dynamic economic activity with a population of over 600 million, greater than the EU. The visit to Singapore will also include events promoting existing Irish exports there which include the full range of dairy, beef, lamb and poultry products.

Concluding, Minister Creed said that the growing demand for food products in Asia represents a major opportunity for Irish agri-food sector.” Irish companies have already made significant inroads into these markets but the potential is there for significant. I am delighted that Minister Doyle and I are in a position to build on that momentum and ensure that the Irish brand in Asia becomes synonymous with world class standards of production, food safety and sustainability. We are targeting four key markets this week and I am confident that this mission will enhance Ireland’s reputation and make a significant contribution to developing the footprint of Irish companies in that part of the world”.


Itinerary for Minister Creed

Monday 5th September
PM Departure from Dublin Airport for Beijing Airport

Tuesday 6th September - Beijing
PM Arrival in Beijing Airport
PM Briefing of Minister

Wednesday 7th September - Beijing
AM Briefing of Minister by Trade Delegation
AM Site visit to Dairy Company
PM Meeting with AQSIQ (Political)
PM Meeting with local dairy companies
PM Reception at Embassy of Ireland for Trade Delegation and meetings with companies
PM Media briefing
PM Briefing of Minister by Trade Delegation

Thursday 8th September - Beijing/Shanghai
AM Meeting with official delegation
AM Meeting with China Food and Drug Administration (Political)
AM Seminar: Promotion of Ireland as producer of safe sustainable food
AM Meeting with local food companies
PM Site visit Dairy company
PM Media briefing
PM Departure for Shanghai
PM Arrival in Shanghai

Friday 9th September - Shanghai
AM Meeting with Trade Delegation (meat sector)
AM Company meetings
AM Dairy promotion event
AM Equine meetings
AM Company meetings
AM Launch event
PM Media briefing
PM Company meetings (Dairy)
PM Company site visit (R&D)
PM Depart for Singapore

Saturday 10th September - Singapore
AM Arrive Singapore
AM Briefing of Minister by Trade Delegation
AM Irish Food promotion
AM Company site visit
AM Opening of office / showcase of Irish Food
PM Meeting with Ministry of National Development
PM Business reception
PM Depart for Dublin


Itinerary for Minister Doyle

Saturday 3rd September
PM Depart for Hanoi

Sunday 4th September - Hanoi
PM Arrive in Hanoi
PM Briefing of Minister by Ambassador and Trade Delegation

Monday 5th September - Hanoi
AM Meeting with Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Political)
AM Meeting with Ministry for Planning and Investment
AM Development meetings
PM Meeting with companies
PM Seminar: Ireland and Vietnam - Partnership in Agri-Food
PM Local media briefing
PM Company meetings
PM Business networking event for Trade Delegation / showcase of Irish Food
PM Media briefing
PM Briefing of Minister by Trade Delegation

Tuesday 6th September - Hanoi
AM Meat Seminar
AM Depart for Irish Aid projects
PM Irish Aid Projects
PM Return to Hanoi
PM Reception for industry and senior local representatives / showcase Irish Food

Wednesday 7th September – Hanoi / Seoul
AM Local media interviews
AM Depart for Seoul
PM Arrive in Seoul

Thursday 8th September - Seoul
AM Briefing of Minister by Trade Delegation
PM Department store visit / promotion of Irish Food
PM Company site visit
PM Meeting with Ministry for Ocean & Fisheries
PM Company meetings (dairy)
PM Local media interview
PM Taste of Ireland-Irish Food Networking

Friday 9th September - Seoul
AM Depart for Sejong city
AM Meeting with Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (Political)
AM Depart for Cheongju
PM Meeting with Ministry of Food & Drug Safety
PM Company site visit (agri tech)
PM Depart for Dublin

Saturday 10th September
PM Arrive in Dublin