The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Bord Bia, the Irish food board, will lead a trade mission to Algeria and Egypt, together with a delegation representing the Irish dairy industry and the livestock export sector
As Algeria and Egypt provide significant growth potential for Irish agri-food exports, the trade mission is set to progress opportunities for the Irish dairy and livestock sectors; raise awareness of Ireland as a source of high quality, safe and sustainable food and to build strategic partnerships.
Enhancing market access for meat and livestock in Algeria and Egypt
Algeria, with a population of 41 million people, has self-sufficiency of only 40 per cent in dairy products and growing demand for cheddar. Total Irish agri-food exports to Algeria in 2018 amounted to around US$57.64mn, dominated by dairy exports, which have grown rapidly over the past few years. In addition, Algeria is a potentially important market for livestock exports.
This trade mission will seek to expand on existing relationships between Irish suppliers and Algerian importers and to build new connections.
Egypt, with a population of 100 million people, has dairy self-sufficiency of less than 75 per cent. Irish agri-food exports to Egypt amounted to US$36.58mn in 2018, with dairy and seafood the main export categories.
Fostering collaboration between Irish exporters and targeted buyers in Algeria and Egypt
Bord Bia CEO Tara McCarthy stated, “The relatively close proximity of Ireland to the North African region coupled with our ability to supply high quality, sustainably produced dairy ingredients in a region with growing dairy import needs, making this an opportune time to visit the priority markets of Algeria and Egypt.”
“The focus, during the four-day trade mission, will be on maximising business opportunities and fostering collaboration between Irish exporters and targeted buyers in Algeria and Egypt. Activities include a programme of 150 one-to-one business meetings between specially selected buyers and Irish suppliers who are best positioned to meet their import needs. In addition, by experiencing the market first hand, travelling Irish companies can also gain a deeper understanding of the needs of the market, the business culture and the trading environment.”
Sustainable Food Systems Ireland (SFSI), a collaboration across the Irish State agencies responsible for developing and regulating the agri-food sector, will participate in the trade mission.
