Figures published by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on beef exports to the US to the end of June confirm what has been well known in the trade for some time.

In the first half of this year, Ireland managed to export 30t of fresh beef and a single tonne of frozen beef, giving a total of 31t. Compare that with Australia, which by 10 August had shipped 327,729t, and we get some perspective.

Ireland’s problem is that we are restricted to beef cuts and, so far, the limited business has centred on the high-value steak cuts into the lucrative but limited markets in the big cites of the northeast.

In the wider steak market, the US is a big exporter as it is with roasting cuts. It has a big market for manufacturing beef, which we aren’t approved to supply.

Pressure on minister

On the issue of exports, Meat Industry Ireland (MII) has issued a strongly worded statement calling on Minister Coveney to do everything possible to secure full access to the US and Chinese markets.

MII has also called on Coveney to use the forthcoming Agricultural Council to seek an EU-wide resolution to these market issues, as well as recent internal trade disruptions and the ongoing Russian embargo.