Minister Hackett concludes multi-city US Trade Mission

Itinerary focused on consolidating and expanding market opportunities for exporters of Irish agrifood and beverage products

Senator Pippa Hackett, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is today (Wednesday), completing a major agri-food trade mission to the United States which took place March 24th - 27th in collaboration with Bord Bia and Irish food and beverage exporters. The trade mission visited Austin, Houston and Seattle, and focused on consolidating our trading relationship, and promoting Irish foods and beverages.

Speaking on the final day of the trade mission from Seattle, in the Pacific Northwest, Minister Hackett remarked

"The United States is one of Irelands largest agri-food trading partners, worth €1.6 billion in exports in 2023 and there is further potential for Irish agri-food and beverages exporters. During my 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."

Throughout the itinerary, Minister Hackett engaged with senior leaders in the US retail, foodservice and wholesale distribution chains to re-enforce relationships as buyers of nutritious Irish food and drink. Dairy produce and beverages were particularly to the fore in these engagements.

Bord Bia CEO, Jim O'Toole, who is accompanying Minister Hackett on the Trade Mission, commented

"This Trade Mission greatly supports Bord Bia's strategy to grow Irish food and drink exports to the US, wrapping up a busy month of multi-sectoral market development activities and events. We're grateful for the support of Minister Hackett, whose presence this week has reinforced Ireland's ambitions and commitment to this important export market."

Concluding, Minister Hackett said

"The high level of on-the-ground work of colleagues working across Team Ireland from my own Department, Bord Bia, together with the Irish embassy and consulates across the US helped make this week a success. Using their network of contacts and the energy of Irish exporters and distributors already operating in-country gives me confidence in future positive development of opportunities in the wider American market."

ENDS

Notes to Editor

Irish food and drink exports to the United States:

- Total agri-food exports to the US in 2023 were €1.6 billion (CSO). The main categories were Beverages €690 million and dairy €684 million.

- Exports declined by 8% last year, largely accounted for by a fall in drink exports due to a significant build up on stock in the market over the course of 2022 and 2023. The US remains the key export market for Irish drink representing 42% of the total export value.

- Irish dairy exports continue to drive significant value and volume increases in the US. In 2023, the value of dairy exports to the US exceeded €684 million i.e. 42% of total agri-food exports from Ireland to the US. This is up 1% on the previous year. Butter exports were valued at €310 million last year, while cheese exports grew by 25% to €85 million.

- The US is also an important market for casein, with exports of just under €105 million in 2023, representing 15.5% of the dairy category.

- Ireland was the first EU member state to be granted access to the US beef market in 2015 and exports were worth €15m in 2023. We have also secured access for lamb in 2022 and the Minister's Department is working with interested exporters if they wish to become eligible for US approval.

- Bord Bia's engagement with customer accounts for Irish beef and prospective accounts for Irish lamb has also been amplified by its investment under the EU co-funded campaign for beef and lamb, launched in 2023.

- A number of key events showcasing and raising awareness of Irish beef have been undertaken with key trade and media audiences over the course of the campaign, including a presence at the MICA Annual Meat Conference in Nashville TN in March 2024.

- Prepared Consumer Foods (PCF) exports to the United States reached €121 million in 2023, representing an increase of 21% for the sector. The US, particularly for chocolate confectionary producers, has become an important focus as Irish producers continue to seek to diversify their export footprint post Brexit.