Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) Pippa Hackett has concluded the first phase of an agri-food trade mission in the US.
Since arriving in Austin, Texas on Sunday (March 24), the minister and Bord Bia officials have been meeting with importers of Irish agri-food products at wholesale, distribution and retail levels.
A selection of Irish food and drink exporters have also joined the trade mission.
Trade mission
In 2023, over €1.6 billion of Irish agri-food produce was exported to the US, making it the second biggest global export market for agri-food exports.
Exports declined by 8% last year, largely accounted for by a fall in drink exports (€690 million) due to a significant build up on stock in the market over the previous two years.
The US remains the key export market for Irish drink representing 42% of the total export value.
In 2023, the value of Irish dairy exports to the US exceeded €684 million, which was up by 1% on the previous year.
Butter exports were valued at €310 million last year, while cheese exports grew by 25% to €85 million.
According to DAFM, this trade mission is aiming to diversify the markets for Irish produce and this is why the destinations of Austin and Houston in Texas and Seattle in Washington have been selected for this visit.
One of the main events of the trade mission, was a keynote address given by Minister Hackett at a “Spirit of Ireland” event, hosted by Bord Bia in Austin.
The minister told the promotional event, which showcased 18 premium Irish spirit brands, that Ireland has a “rich heritage of whiskey production”.
“Records show that there were at least 28 distilleries on the island in the 1890’s, and while this number fell to just two in the 1960’s, it is wonderful to see the renewal of the production of this traditional product in Irish rural communities with now over 40 distilleries operating in Ireland,” she said.
Minister Hackett also highlighted the unique characteristics of drinks with geographical indications (GI), including Irish Whiskey, Irish Cream and Irish Poitín.
Bord Bia chief executive, Jim O’Toole said that the Spirit of Ireland programme is focused on staff working in off-licences and bars.
“The US is a key market for Irish drink, representing almost 40% of the total export value, and therefore an important focus of this US trade mission,” he said.
After hosting meetings in Houston, Minister Hackett will travel to Seattle today (Tuesday, March 26) for further promotional events.