Vietnam opens its market to Irish pigmeat

Vietnam has opened its market to Irish pigmeat in a move which Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney said would give pig producers "a vital foothold" in a key market.

He said five Irish pig processing establishments had been accredited to produce pork for export to Vietnam while a sixth establishment had been approved for cutting. The agreement covers the importation of fresh and frozen pork meat from Ireland. Veterinary health certificates have also been agreed.

Mr Coveney said Vietnam was “an important market in South East Asia with a growing population and there are good prospects for Irish meat exports both in the short and long term. I am hopeful that the decision of the Vietnamese authorities will also have a positive effect on our efforts to gain access to other markets in the region”.

This follows on last month’s agreement with the Philippines to open its market to Irish beef, sheep meat and pork. Over the course of the last 18 months, market access has been gained for Irish beef to the United States and Japan while Lebanon has opened its market to beef, sheep meat and cooked meats. Namibia has opened its market to Irish beef and sheep meat while Hong Kong has opened its market to sheep meat.

Earlier this year, Russia banned Irish pig meat imports and last month imposed sanctions on other food products from the EU and other countries.

Mr Coveney said his department was continuing to work closely with European partners to try to restore the pigmeat trade with Russia.

"In the meantime we will continue to prioritise the opening of new third country markets for Irish agri-food products, working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Bord Bia to provide new market opportunities for Irish companies."