Minister of State for Fisheries, Timmy Dooley, TD, concluded a successful seafood and agri-food trade mission to China, conducted in collaboration with Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland. During the visit, Minister Dooley held government-to-government meetings with representatives from the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) and the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) to strengthen bilateral trade relations and enhance market access for Irish agri-food products.
The Minister also addressed a high-level EU Dairy Seminar in Beijing attended by Chinese industry leaders and officials, promoting the expansion of Irish dairy products into the Chinese market. At the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo in Qingdao, he met with Irish seafood exporters, highlighting the significant growth of Irish seafood exports to China, which totaled €41 million last year.
Minister Dooley discussed a range of topics, including global food security, sustainable food systems, and enhanced access for pork and porcine offal. He emphasized Ireland’s reputation as a supplier of high-quality, sustainably produced agri-food and seafood, supported by rigorous food safety controls, ensuring reliability for global consumers.
The trade mission concluded with a “Flavours of Ireland” reception at the Irish Embassy in Beijing, showcasing Irish agri-food produce and reinforcing Ireland’s strong commercial opportunities in the Chinese market. The mission underscored Ireland’s position as a key trading partner in Asia and highlighted opportunities for continued growth in seafood, dairy, and meat sectors.
