Irish beef exporters can now send beef produce to Thailand, after Ireland gained market access to the country.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon, and Minister of State for food promotion and new markets Noel Grealish, made the announcement today (Monday, March 10).

The categories of beef that can be exported to Thailand include all edible parts, bone-in and boneless cuts, both fresh and frozen. Beef offal is not included.

Thailand is the second-largest economy in Southeast Asia (after Indonesia). Overall demand for beef among its roughly 65 million people is back to pre-Covid levels. Of this, 80% is filled by domestic production and 20% is filled by imports.

Beef consumption is growing in Thailand, and is set to exceed 3kg per capita annually by 2028.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the main drivers for growth in beef consumption there include:

Growing population and disposable incomes;
Good perception of beef;
Recovering tourism;
Less economic pressure on households;
Food service expansion.

Commenting on the development, Minister Heydon said: “Thailand was designated as a priority market for access for Irish beef and my department has been very active in pursuit of this objective, working for a number of years through the detailed application process.

"Engagement at political, diplomatic and official levels has helped to advance the case for Irish beef, with last autumn’s trade mission delivering a further impetus to our efforts. It is great to see our hard work now bearing fruit," he added.

"It is a market with a population of over 65 million people and a growing middle class, presenting significant opportunities for Irish agri-food exporters. For beef, the door has now been opened and there is a real opportunity for the industry to build on," Minister Heydon added.

He said there was a "collaborative effort" in opening beef access to Thailand, including by the Irish Embassy in the country's capital Bangkok, department officials, Bord Bia, the European Commission, the food industry, and farmers.

“It has taken a huge effort by 'Team Ireland', over several years, to get beef market access to Thailand across the line, and Minister Grealish and I thank everyone who has contributed to those efforts," Minister Heydon said.

Minister Grealish commented: “This decision represents an endorsement by the Thai administration of Ireland’s high food safety standards. I see the expansion of markets for Irish beef as crucial for the further development of our beef sector.

"Every new international market increases the economic sustainability of our beef sector and positively impacts on family farms and employment in rural Ireland, adding value sustainably into the future," Minister Grealish said.

He pointed out that this is the first time there has been a bilateral agreement between Ireland and Thailand for meat exports.

"I hope the delivery of quality Irish beef opens the door for industry as we seek to build and enhance access to this very important market," Minister Grealish added.