Minister Hackett leads Ireland’s first ever agri-food trade mission to Thailand

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Senator Pippa Hackett, is leading Ireland’s agri-food trade mission to Thailand and Vietnam in cooperation with Bord Bia.

The focus of the initiative is on expanding co-operation, including on trade, and promotion across a range of products including meat, dairy and seafood.

The trade missions include high level ministerial meetings, as well as market development work at high profile trade events in Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

“This will be the first ever Agri-food trade mission to Thailand. I look forward to engaging with counterparts in both Thailand and Vietnam to further develop our trading relationship and market access,” said Minister Hackett.

“We have seen a year-on-year increase in value of agri-food exports to Thailand, which have increased by over 37% in the last decade. Two thirds of global economic growth now and in the future will come in the Asia Pacific region, so it is important that Ireland is active and on the ground here.”

During the five-day visit, Minister Hackett is meeting with representatives from Thai and Vietnamese governments to discuss opportunities for further co-operation, market access and the development of sustainable food systems globally.

Minister Hackett is also attending key trade receptions and meeting with key companies and importers in both countries to support Irish businesses who are active or identify potential in the region.