Minister Heydon to visit Irish companies operating in the Mid-West on the final leg of his US mission
- Published on: 11 April 2025
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, will continue his visit to the United States today, in collaboration with Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland, with the final leg of the visit in Chicago.
He will meet a number of Irish companies operating in the Mid-West region. Ireland is the sixth largest source of foreign direct investment into the US, with food and agriculture companies a key contributor to the 200,000 people employed by 770 Irish companies across all 50 States.
Earlier in the week, the Minister held a series of meetings with senior US political representatives, including Brooke Rollins Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture, focused on engaging with the new US Administration to promote the importance of the Irish-US bilateral agri-food relationship.
This was followed by meetings in Kentucky with key US stakeholders and companies in the equine, spirit drinks, animal feed and agri-tech industries to discuss the mutually beneficial trading relationship between Ireland and the United States. In 2024, over €1.9 billion of Irish agri-food produce was exported to the US, making it a key export market for agri-food exports.
Speaking in advance of today’s engagements, Minister Heydon, said:
“This visit has given me the timely opportunity to highlight the importance of the two-way trading relationship between our countries. I also highlighted Ireland’s comprehensive approach to agri-food development as a source of safe, secure and sustainable agri-food products. Whilst the United States is the second biggest export market for Irish agri-food products, Irish companies are also investing into the United States, creating employment for thousands of people and importantly buying produce from American farmers.
“Yesterday, I had the opportunity to see the positive impact that this bilateral relationship is currently having in equine, spirit drinks, animal feed and agri-tech industries in Kentucky. I look forward to meeting today with Irish companies based in the Mid-West region to continue this conversation and see first-hand the benefits of this trading relationship.”
Also speaking today, Bord Bia CEO Jim O’Toole stated:
“This trade visit offered us a timely opportunity to directly engage with our key US customers and their Irish suppliers. By understanding the specific and complex challenges posed by the tariffs, we can ensure that Bord Bia's strategic support is customised to meet the needs of each client and customer, rather than adopting a 'one size fits all' approach.
"The United States is a premium export market for Irish food and drink exporters and will remain a priority market for our industry. As we continue to collaborate closely with our impacted client companies, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and key stakeholders in response to this evolving situation, our primary objective is to ensure that Irish companies continue to prosper amidst evolving market conditions."
Today, Minister Heydon will meet with potential US investors in Ireland and members of Enterprise Ireland’s newly established US Food Advisory Board. This strategic initiative aims to promote Foreign Direct Investment in the Irish food sector. The trade mission will conclude tomorrow.