Irish Minister Promotes Dairy and Agri-Food in Mexican Market

The Irish Minister of State, Noel Grealish, responsible for food promotion, embarked on a three-day visit to Mexico to enhance the presence of Irish agri-food products, focusing on the dairy sector. The visit started on November 18 with a meeting between Minister Grealish and Julio Berdegue, the Mexican Minister of Agriculture, discussing the forthcoming EU-Mexico Free Trade Agreement and existing collaborations in dairy, fisheries, and sustainable livestock.

During his visit, Minister Grealish also met Javier Calderon, director general of SENASICA, to deliberate on market access for Irish dairy, pigmeat, and related products. A roundtable discussion was hosted by Ambassador De Búrca, involving stakeholders like Kerry Group and Ornua, reflecting on the growing opportunities in the Mexican market.

The visit aligns with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Mexico in 2025, highlighting the potential for further cooperation. Minister Grealish expressed confidence in the growth potential for the Irish agri-food sector in Mexico.

Further engagements included a meeting with Lina Pohl from the FAO to discuss regional projects, and a visit to Queretaro to understand local agricultural priorities and challenges, especially in the context of recent extreme weather events.

The delegation's itinerary concluded with a visit to the CIMMYT in Texcoco, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration to expand Irish market access in Mexico.