The Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney and 37 Irish companies are beginning a major five day trade mission to China today.

Over the next five days, they will visit five major cities and take part in fifty key engagements in the region which is a major importer of agrifood and fisheries products. The mission will allow Irish companies to build their profile in China with potential business partners and buyers.

The key focus of the mission will be progressing market access for Irish beef, showcasing Ireland as a source of high quality sustainably produced dairy products, expanding opportunities for our seafood sector, promote Ireland as strategic partners for agri-food and agri-services, and facilitating and fostering increased business opportunities for Irish companies.

Speaking before his departure, The Minister stated that "Ireland and China have already forged strong links not only in terms of trade but also in terms of cooperation in the agri-food and fisheries areas."

The Minister said that China has a strong demand for imports of quality food and Ireland is strategically placed to be a key supplier of quality meats, dairy products, beverages, seafood and other products and services to China/Hong Kong.

Already in the first six months of 2014, Ireland exported over € 405m in dairy, meats, beverages seafood and hides and skins to China compared with a figure of €300m for the same period in 2013.

The trade mission is part of a drive to further develop Ireland’s trade relationship with the second biggest economy in the world. It follows on from Minister Coveney’s visit to China in April 2012, and a number of reciprocal visits to Ireland by high ranking members of the Chinese Government, including Chinese President, Mr Xi Jinping, over the last number of years.

It will further cement the relationship with key Chinese political and commercial players and facilitate market access for Irish agri-food and seafood exports to China. Progressing the beef access issue will be a key mission objective.

Meetings

The Mission will include meetings with the Chinese Minister for the Inspection and Quarantine Service, Mr Shuping, the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Hans Changfu, the Minister for the Chinese Food and Drugs Administration, Dr Yin Li BO and the Chinese Vice Minister for International Trade in the Ministry of Agriculture Minister Niu Dun. The Minister will also meet with key government officials in Beijing, Qingdao, Hangzhou and Shanghai.

A key element of the visit will be building on the rapidly growing volume of dairy and infant formula exports from Ireland to China, which will be the main focus of an Ireland-China dairy seminar in Beijing on Tuesday. The event will include speakers from all of the main dairy companies located in Ireland who export to China and is aimed at further increasing Ireland’s presence in the fast growing Chinese market.

Irish companies

Chief Executives of 37 leading Irish companies involved in the export of meats, dairy products, seafood, consumer foods, genomics and agri services sectors are accompanying the Minister to China in addition to a number of government agencies, including Teagasc.

A series of networking events for participating companies will be organised by Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, BIM and HSI to facilitate business to business meetings with those participating in the trade mission.

Irish beef

Commenting on the focus on Irish beef during the mission, Minister Coveney said: “Progressing access for Irish meat products will also be a key strategic target of the visit with a clear focus on beef. This has been the subject of discussion between Ireland and China at the highest political levels over the last two years. We have made good progress in that time and I will again be seeking substantive progress the issue in my meetings with Chinese political counterparts next week."

The Minister said securing access for Irish lamb will also take a major step forward this week when he formally submits a completed technical dossier for consideration by the Chinese authorities which is the key first step in securing access.