Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal in Dubai on a trade mission to the Gulf States this week, Padraig Brennan, director of international markets at Bord Bia, said the food board is focusing on protecting and enhancing markets to deliver returns for farmers.

He rejected any notion that Irish exporters should not focus on the UK market, despite the Brexit vote last June.

“It’s a market, Brexit or no Brexit, that is still only 60% self-sufficient for food, so it’s not a market that we are just going to give up on [but] it does present a challenge on how we maintain our position [there],” Brennan said, before adding that he expects Brexit negotiations to “take a considerable length time.”

On the hunt for new markets

When asked what Bord Bia is doing to protect farm incomes and ensure that farming is viable, Brennan said the body is on the hunt for new markets.

Listen to the interview with Padraig Brennan in our podcast below:

Listen to "Bord Bia's Padraig Brennan on Brexit and Trump" on Spreaker.

“My view on this is fairly simple. The more markets that we have and the more customers that we have in those markets that we service the, better opportunity we have to get the best out of the marketplace.

“If we get the best return out of the marketplace that gives the opportunity for farmer to get the best return.

“I know it can be frustrating at times to see fluctuations in dairy or meat prices but the long-term goal of what we’re trying to do is right. The challenge is to seek out those customers that can deliver the best returns over time.”

Donald Trump

Speaking more specifically about the election of Donald Trump, Brennan did express concern that the new US President could have a negative impact on growing Irish exports to the US.

Trump would be a challenge we could do without

“We exported €950m worth of food to the US last year, so it’s not an insignificant market,” he said.

The vast majority of that was made up of dairy and beverages, but with President Trump signalling an intention to use more domestic products, there are concerns that this could hit Irish food exports.

“I mean, nothing has happened with regards to this but if there were to be restrictions put in place it would be challenge to overcome ... it would be a challenge we could do without,” he said.

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Full coverage: Gulf States Trade Mission