Heydon promotes Irish agri-food trade during trip to Sweden
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon is this week promoting Irish agri-food trade in Stockholm.
Minister Heydon also officially opened Ireland House, home to the Embassy of Ireland, Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland in the Swedish capital.
The opening provided an opportunity for the minister to engage with key Swedish food and drink customers and partners, and to strengthen the commercial, diplomatic and cultural ties between Ireland and Sweden, according to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The minister also visited Axfood, one of Sweden’s leading grocery retailers and a key customer for Irish beef.
Sweden is Ireland’s largest export market in the Nordic region, with Irish food and drink exports totalling approximately €163.5 million in the first seven months of 2026, an increase of 8% on the same period in 2025.
Congress of European Farmers
Minister Heydon also addressed the 12th Congress of European Farmers in Stockholm.
He outlined Ireland’s presidency priorities and engaged with farming and cooperative representatives on the future of European agriculture.
Speaking at the Cope and Cogeca congress, Minister Heydon said: "Europe needs farmers who can earn a fair living from producing food, and who have the confidence to invest in the future.
"That is fundamental to our competitiveness and food security, and to the communities that depend on agriculture."
The minister noted the publication of the Irish presidency’s revised negotiating box and highlighted the presidency’s work on competitiveness and generational renewal.
He also reiterated the objective of reaching a partial general approach on the future CAP regulation at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on October 26-27.
European agriculture
Minister Heydon concluded by outlining his ambition for the future of European agriculture: “Ireland will continue to use its presidency to listen, build consensus and advance practical solutions that give farming families confidence in the future.
"The contribution of Copa and Cogeca and its members will remain central to that work.
"We will be guided by the spirit of our presidency slogan, 'ní neart go cur le chéile - strength with unity'.
"We want to work together with you all to ensure that European agriculture remains productive, resilient and attractive to the next generation."
