Seeking out new horizons key plank of Brexit preparation 

Minister for Agriculture Food &  Marine, Michael Creed TD will today (Thursday) undertake a series of engagements as part of the first Irish Ministerial Agri-Food Trade Mission to Mexico.  Minister Creed will meet with Mexican Sub-Secretary for Trade, Juan Carlos Baker Pineda and the Mexican Secretary for Agriculture (SAGARPA), Mr Jose Eduardo Calzada Rovirosa as well as hosting a round-table working lunch with COMECARNE (The Mexican Meat Board) and PORCIMEX (The Mexican Pig Producers Confederation) to discuss co-operation and trade opportunities.

Ahead of the Mexican leg of his five day Trade Mission to the Americas, Minister Creed said;  

“Today marks the beginning of a major co-ordinated effort by my Department, Bord Bia , and our Agri-Food industry to target Mexico specifically as a potential trading partner.  With a market of 127 million people, Mexico is an exciting developing market where we need to establish better ties and links.  Against the backdrop of Brexit, developing opportunities in new markets is essential. Our meetings with our Mexican counterparts, as well as local experts, will help us to better understand the industry here and to make sure our offerings are appropriate and in line with the demands of the Mexican market.”

Commenting on Ireland's current trading relationship with Mexico from an Agri-food perspective, the Minister noted;  

“the CSO reported that dairy exports totalled over €52.5M in 2016, which represented over 91% of total agricultural exports to Mexico last year.  We do not have market access for meat products to Mexico at present.  Therefore I intend to present a detailed pigmeat questionnaire to the relevant authorities here, marking an important step along the road to achieving market access. I also intend to officially announce our intention to seek beef access to the Mexican market.”

Note for Editors:

 • Mexico has a population of 127 million making it the 11th largest country in the world in population terms. It is the 15th largest economy in the world with projections that it will move into the top five by 2050. 

 • Agri food exports to Mexico have increased by around 20% from €47.1 million (10,300 tonnes) in 2012 to €57.4 million (15,900 tonnes) in 2016. 

• In dairy terms Mexico was the 13th largest destination for Irish dairy exports in 2016 with total exports of around €52.6 million or 14,500 tonnes.  This marks an increase of almost 50% from the amount seen in 2012, which was €35.1 million or 8,000 tonnes.  The main categories are:

o   Infant Formula - €9.2 million, 814 tonnes

o   Fat Filled Milk Powders (FFMP) - €17.8 million, 8.396 tonnes

o   Caseins - €25.0 million, 5,132 tonnes

• The other main category of exports to Mexico is beverages, which in 2016 were worth €4 million (1,163 tonnes).

To view this Press Release as a PDF: DAFMPR 113/2017 (pdf 184Kb) 

Date Released: 22 June 2017