Enviro News Asia, Beijing – Ireland has concluded a major agri-food and seafood trade mission to China aimed at expanding market access and deepening bilateral cooperation in sustainable food systems.
The mission, led by Minister of State for Fisheries Timmy Dooley, TD, was conducted in partnership with Bord Bia (the Irish Food Board) and Enterprise Ireland, marking a significant milestone in Ireland’s engagement with its largest Asian trading partner.
In Beijing, Minister Dooley held a series of high-level meetings with officials from the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) and the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC). Both sides discussed enhanced collaboration in food trade, safety protocols, and market access for Irish agricultural products.
“I am pleased to have met with representatives from both ministries to discuss how we can strengthen our agri-food trading relationship,” Minister Dooley said, highlighting progress on an updated protocol that would expand access for Irish pork products, including additional categories of porcine offal.
The Minister also met with Vice-Minister ZHAO of GACC to address customs and export procedures, and Vice-Minister ZHILLI of MARA to discuss joint initiatives on global food security and sustainable food production.
Earlier in the week, Minister Dooley attended the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo in Qingdao, where he met with Irish seafood companies already exporting to China. Irish seafood exports to China reached €41 million in 2024, a notable increase driven by strong demand for sustainably sourced products.
In addition, the Minister delivered a keynote address at a high-level EU Dairy Seminar in Beijing, attended by Chinese government officials and industry leaders, to promote the expansion of Irish dairy exports. The event provided a platform for direct engagement between Irish producers and major Chinese buyers.
Bord Bia’s China Manager, Shane Hamill, noted that the mission reinforced Ireland’s growing reputation in the region. “It’s been a very productive week with strong engagement from buyers and partners across the food and beverage sector,” he said. “The momentum built here positions Ireland to deepen its commercial presence in China’s highly competitive market.”
The trade mission concluded with a “Flavours of Ireland” reception hosted at the Irish Embassy in Beijing, showcasing premium Irish seafood, dairy, and meat products to key Chinese stakeholders.
Minister Dooley emphasized that Ireland remains committed to supporting sustainable food systems and ensuring the highest standards of food safety. “China is an important market for Irish agri-food exporters. With rising demand for high-quality, sustainably produced food, Ireland is well-positioned to meet this need,” he said.
