How did you become involved with Irish agri-food exports?

My first experience of Ireland was doing an internship with the IDA back in 2011 and when I learned Bord Bia was opening an office in Shanghai the following year, I became part of the team and have been the dairy specialist since 2018.

How important is China?

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China has been increasing imports, particularly over the past decade and has continued to grow this year.

Up to the end of May, total value of Irish exports to China was €232m, a 2% year-on-year increase. More than half of this, €144m, is for Irish dairy exports to greater China, which includes Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan in addition to mainland China.

This makes China the fourth-highest-value market for Irish dairy exports. It is the second most important market for pigmeat exports, worth €42m to greater China to the end of May. Irish beef exports remain suspended as required by China’s protocol on BSE.

What changes are happening in the market that Irish exporters need to adapt to?

China’s influence on global markets cannot be overstated. Although domestic production in all categories has been expanding, China will continue to be a major agri-food importer.

However, what they want to import is evolving, for example when Bord Bia opened its office here, infant formula was the product from Ireland they were most interested in.

They now import less of this, but the market has been growing for health and nutrition products which are creating opportunity for Irish dairy ingredients as a nutrition solution provider.

There is also a growing market for Irish dairy ingredients in food processing such as the manufacture of ready meals and baking. This is also a sector that uses butter and cheese and these are also finding opportunities in the food service sector.

Pigmeat production in China has been restructured over the past five years following the African Swine Fever outbreak.

The level of import demand fluctuates but it consistently remains an important market for Irish pigmeat exports.

What is Bord Bia doing in China that benefits Irish farmers?

When the office opened here in 2012, there was very little awareness of Ireland outside the existing trading relationships.

We have worked hard to grow that awareness and make importers and customers aware of how and why Ireland can be a top supplier of food and drink imports that complement other sources of supply.

The importance of China is reflected in the fact that Shanghai has as a large Bord Bia presence as London, our largest export market. This strong presence on the ground is essential for spotting real-time opportunities and assisting Irish exporters in understanding the nuances of Chinese business culture.

The market has grown and I expect it will grow further.

How is the likely to develop in the next decade?

It may not grow as fast as it did in the last decade and domestic production of food and drink will continue to develop.

China will remain an importer and Ireland will remain a supplier, particularly of higher value dairy and pigmeat. Irish beef exports to China have been stop-start because of suspensions; hopefully this can be resolved and lead to sustained growth for beef in this market.