Ireland’s Minister of State for Fisheries, Timmy Dooley, has led a new agri-food trade mission to China this week.
The visit, organized in partnership with Bord Bia and Enterprise Ireland, aims to promote Irish seafood and other high-quality food exports in one of Asia’s most important markets.
As part of the mission, Bord Bia hosted nine Irish seafood companies at the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo 2025 in Qingdao.
The event, held from October 29 to 31 at the Hongdao International Convention and Exhibition Center, is known as Asia’s leading seafood trade fair and attracts about 50,000 professional visitors from more than 130 countries.
Growing Exports To China
In 2024, Ireland’s agri-food exports to China were valued at €614 million.
Seafood exports reached almost €600 million worldwide, a 9% increase from 2023.
China remains an important destination, especially for pelagic fish such as mackerel and herring. In recent years, Ireland has also worked to grow demand for premium shellfish like crab and langoustine.
Minister Highlights Opportunities
Minister Dooley said China continues to be a key growth market for Irish seafood.
He explained that the trade mission and Ireland’s presence at the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo help to strengthen the country’s reputation for safe, traceable, and high-quality seafood.
Before the expo, Bord Bia and the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine co-hosted a seafood trade reception in Qingdao, connecting Irish exporters with Chinese importers, distributors, and industry partners.
The event focused on building stronger commercial relationships and opening new routes for Irish seafood.
Bord Bia Focuses On The Premium Market
Bord Bia’s China Manager, Sinéad Kennedy, said that Chinese consumers are showing strong interest in premium imported seafood.
She added that Ireland’s strong reputation for safety, traceability, and quality gives exporters a growing advantage, with more Irish seafood companies supplying the Chinese market each year.
Note: All information in this article is based on verified reporting from the Irish Examiner (Zoe Geary, October 30, 2025) and official updates from Bord Bia and the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine.
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