Minister Heydon concludes series of trade engagements to the Philippines and Malaysia
- Published on: 10 November 2023
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, who holds special responsibility for New Market Development, concluded the Philippine leg of his Ministerial trade mission to South East Asia on Thursday.
While in Manila, the Minister held a constructive meeting with H.E. Alfredo E. Pascual, Secretary of the Department of Trade and Industry. It was noted that the Philippines is already a successful market for Irish agri-food exports, indeed it is the largest overseas market for Irish beef outside of fellow EU members states and the UK valued at €50 million in 2022. However, with a population of over 110 million and growing prosperity, opportunities exist in the Philippines for the further development trade. The Ministers also discussed agri-food cooperation and knowledge transfer between both countries. It was agreed that Sustainable Food Systems Ireland would engage and examine potential areas of co-operation.
Minister Heydon commented:
“I am always proud to tell the story of Irish farming and food internationally as Minister responsible for new market development. The Philippine market has been a productive and growing market for Irish agri-food exports, with €173 million in 2022. The development of new markets is critical not only to grow the value of our exports, allowing the sector to target export to the best returning markets, but also to increase its resilience by having access to a range of options.”
On the impact of the entire Trade Mission, Minister Heydon commented:
“This week, while attending commercial meetings between Irish agri-food exporters and their current and potential Filipino and Malaysian customers, I have seen first-hand the opportunities and potential for the growth of trade in these expanding markets. We have a strong story to tell and the message about our sustainability journey in addition to the safety and quality of food really resonated well in these markets.”
Bord Bia CEO Jim O’Toole said:
“The Philippines is Ireland’s largest market in South East Asia for dairy and meat, and it is the largest for Irish beef exports outside of the UK and Europe. From our engagements with customers this week, it is positive to see that there is a growing demand here for top quality products from Ireland.
"Between Malaysia and the Philippines, we’ve engaged with over 250 customers and potential customers in the region. Bord Bia’s work here this week assures me that there is a strong interest in what Ireland can offer and that business opportunities will continue to grow.”
Throughout the week, Minister Heydon was also keynote speaker at Bord Bia organised EU Dairy and Beef & Pork Seminars attended by prominent companies from both countries. These seminars included detailed presentations by the Minister’s department, Teagasc, SFSI and Bord Bia on the safety and sustainability of Irish food production.
Both legs of the Trade Mission concluded with a large commercial reception which extolled the “Flavours of Ireland”. These successful events were attended by a wide range of current and potential customers of Irish food and drink as well as members of the Irish diaspora.
Notes
Sustainable Food Systems Ireland (SFSI) is a Government of Ireland initiative established to offer Ireland’s experience and expertise in transforming food and agriculture systems to partner countries. SFSI brings together Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and Teagasc with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) under one umbrella.
2022 Irish Agri-food Exports to:
| Malaysia | €68,147,000 | 26,242 tonnes | including Dairy €63 million. |
| The Philippines | €173,286,000 | 72,576 tonnes | including Dairy €72.5 million, beef €50.5 million, pigmeat €24 million, animal Fats €13.5 million and animal feed €9.5 million. |
Export comparison 2018-2022
| Jan-Dec 2018 | Jan-Dec 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ind | €000 Tonnes | €000 Tonnes | (+ / -) Value Y-to-Y |
| Grand Total | 117,059 74,455 | 241,432 98,818 | 124,374 106.25% |
| Philippines | 62,304 41,550 | 173,286 72,576 | 110,981 178.13% |
| Malaysia | 54,755 32,905 | 68,147 26,242 | 13,392 24.46% |