An Irish trade mission to the UK has been moved to an online platform as the “first UK virtual trade mission” gets underway today (Thursday, November 5) in an effort to safeguard Irish food exports to the UK.
This comes in the face of a “triple threat of Brexit, Covid-19 and declining consumer confidence”, according to Bord Bia.
As EU/UK negotiations on a post-Brexit free trade agreement enter the final stages, Bord Bia and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine are undertaking an intensive two-day “Great Britain Virtual Trade Mission” starting today.
The UK is the number one destination for Irish food and drink exports. In 2019 it accounted for 34% of total exports valued at €4.5 billion with dairy accounting for 41% of these exports and beef accounting for 44%.
For the first time since 2015, 2020 has seen the declines in the value of food and drink exports to the UK. The latest available Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures which are for exports January to August show a decline of -6%.
“The UK is equally reliant on Ireland as we continue to be the UK’s largest export market for food and drink, accounting for €4.4 billion last year,” a Bord Bia spokesperson said.
Commenting ahead of the mission, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, said:
“Our future trading relationship with Britain will change from January 1, even in the most benign Brexit scenario.
“Working alongside Bord Bia, I plan to use these timely engagements to remind our key customers that Ireland remains a strategic and committed supplier of world-class, quality produce to British consumers, who trust Irish produce as a quality and sustainable choice.”
Meanwhile, Minister of State with responsibility for new market development Martin Heydon added: “I look forward to engaging with these key British stakeholders this week.
These meetings offer an ideal opportunity, in these uncertain times, to re-assure key customers of our commitment to excellence with regard to every aspect of our Irish food offering.
“This is of vital importance for Irish producers, and will be a central focus of my work in the months ahead.”
Bord Bia chief executive Tara McCarthy explained that this trade mission is part of Ireland’s strategy to defend the place of Irish food produce on British shelves in the face of impending and profound Brexit impacts.
“This UK trade engagement is crucially timed and underpinned by a true commitment to plan a pathway for growth for Ireland’s food, drink and horticulture producers as we face into the uncertainty posed by major industry challenges,” she said.
“We will take encouragement from the fact that 85% of UK shoppers currently choose Irish food and drink produce but we must also prepare for far greater global competition as we seek to strengthen our position in the high value UK market.”