March 28, 2013

The Irish government and the Australian veterinarian authorities have reached an agreement for the export of pig meat from the Republic of Ireland to Australia, which opens up a potential market worth €20 million (US$26 million).

Simon Coveney TD, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, said that the agreement is the result of efforts by his Department, Irish Embassy Canberra and Bord Bia over a number of years, which included a successful inspection visit to Ireland by a veterinary delegation from Biosecurity Australia in 2011.

According to the Minister, Australia has been a target market for the Irish pig meat industry for many years. Last year Australia imported over 149,000 tonnes of pork, valued at approximately €400 million (US$511 million).

With a population of almost 23 million, over two million of whom claim Irish ancestry and a per capita consumption of 24.5 kilogrammes of pork per year, Australia offers Irish pork processors exciting new opportunities. Conservative industry estimates are that up to €20 million (US$26 million) worth of Irish pork could be exported to Australia on an annual basis.