Ireland’s agri-food sector is stepping up its international trade push, with Bord Bia bringing influential Asian buyers, media representatives and foodservice decision-makers to the country this June. The latest programme of inward visits highlights how Irish food exports are being positioned for growth in premium overseas markets, especially across dairy, beef and lamb.
According to Bord Bia, the visits come at an important moment for producers seeking stronger returns and broader market access. As global competition intensifies, trade development backed by agencies such as gov.ie partners, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland remains central to the wider national strategy spanning Agriculture, Finance and Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Irish Food Exports Get a Boost from Asian Delegations
From June 21 to 27, Bord Bia will host a nine-person delegation made up of international media and nutrition-sector stakeholders from Singapore, China and Vietnam. The visit forms part of an EU-supported dairy promotion programme designed to showcase Ireland’s production strengths to key international audiences.
A notable feature of the itinerary is the inclusion of representatives from VTV Times, Vietnam’s national television broadcaster, giving Ireland valuable visibility in a fast-growing market of more than 100 million people. Vietnam is increasingly seen as a strategic destination for Irish dairy, with exporters looking to build demand for premium, grass-fed and sustainably produced products.
What the delegates will see in Ireland
- Dairy processors across Ireland
- Teagasc Moorepark research facilities
- University College Cork innovation and nutrition expertise
- Grass-based farming systems in action
- Ireland’s sustainability framework and export standards
The message is clear: Irish food exports are not just about supply, but about quality assurance, research capability and traceable production.
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Dairy Buyers Already Touring Ireland
The latest media and nutrition visit follows a separate Bord Bia programme involving 25 dairy ingredient buyers from China, Vietnam and Singapore. That earlier trip focused on strengthening commercial relationships in premium Asian markets and gave buyers direct access to Irish farms and processing operations.
During the visit, delegates were introduced to several selling points that continue to define Irish food exports:
- Grass-fed dairy production systems
- Origin Green sustainability commitments
- The Bord Bia Grass Fed Standard
- High standards in food safety and traceability
These themes align with broader national priorities linked to Climate Action, Transport, Local Government and Heritage, and the regulatory reputation associated with Irish agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Food Safety Authority (FSAI) and CSO-backed data credibility across sectors.
Japan Visit to Explore Beef and Lamb Opportunities
Later in the month, a seven-member Japanese delegation will travel through Cork, Waterford, Wexford and Cavan between June 22 and 26. The group includes representation from one of Japan’s largest restaurant chains and is expected to examine new sourcing opportunities for Irish beef and lamb.
Some buyers already purchase Irish beef tongue, but the visit is expected to widen discussions to other beef cuts while also assessing the export potential for Irish lamb. For processors, this could open the door to better carcass balance and stronger value recovery in international markets.
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Why Inward Visits Matter for Irish Food Exports
Bord Bia says inward trade visits remain one of the most effective ways to build long-term buyer confidence. Seeing farms, processors and research centres first-hand allows international decision-makers to assess quality, sustainability and consistency in a way that remote sales activity cannot match.
Declan Fennell, Senior Manager for EU Promotions at Bord Bia, said these visits are especially valuable at a time when market returns are under pressure. Creating new high-value export channels, he noted, is vital to supporting returns for farmers and sustaining growth across Ireland’s meat and dairy industries.
Key takeaways
- Vietnam is emerging as an important target market for Irish dairy.
- China, Singapore and Japan remain high-value priorities for export growth.
- Bord Bia is using on-the-ground visits to convert interest into long-term trade relationships.
- Irish food exports continue to trade on quality, sustainability and research-led credibility.
Conclusion
The latest Bord Bia programme shows how Irish food exports are being advanced through direct engagement with influential buyers and media from Asia. By putting farms, processors and research expertise on display, Ireland is strengthening its case as a trusted supplier of premium dairy, beef and lamb. For producers looking beyond domestic pressures, the future of Irish food exports may increasingly depend on relationships built through visits like these.
Article/Image Courtesy: Bord Bia
