Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue this week concluded an agri-food trade mission to Japan and Singapore as part of his Department’s mission to South East Asia.
The Minister met with his counterparts in Japan as well as the CEO of the Singapore Food Agency in Singapore.
Commenting on the trade mission, Minister McConalogue said: “Japan, Singapore and the wider South East Asia are really important markets with educated and informed consumers. The markets are focused on securing high quality and safe food, a demand which matches the quality food produced on Irish family farmers.
“Ireland’s relationships in the region are going from strength to strength. This trade mission has confirmed that the Irish agri-food sector is very well placed to meet the sophisticated needs of consumers in these markets. The quality and safety of our world class food products are in high demand. Irish exporters have made significant gains in recent years in both these markets, developing relationships and reputations with key stakeholders – and there continue to be significant opportunities for Irish business in these high value markets”.
The Minister said both his Department and Bord Bia were fully committed to continuing to build on the success of this most recent trade mission.
In Singapore, the minister launched Irish participation in the Food Hotel Asia trade fair, the largest food and hospitality trade event in Asia. The minister had a number of high-level engagements with key trade customers of Irish food and drink in the region.
Following on from the launch of Irish beef in retail in Singapore, Musgrave Group has signed a new partnership deal to supply over 400 products from its SuperValu Own Brand range to Singapore’s premium grocery platform, RedMart. Musgrave’s partners, Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland, were key facilitators in finalising the agreement.
