Over €1 Billion of Flour Importedinto Ireland in the Last Decade
Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne has welcomed today’sannouncement from government of the investment in the development of commercialflour mills in Ireland.
Deputy Byrne said the investment is particularly important inthe context of growing geopolitical uncertainty.
Speaking on the announcement Deputy Byrne said:
“Global supply chains are undergoing a seismic realignment.It is now more important than ever that Ireland has a strong indigenous foodsector to shield us from upheaval in global supply chains.
“We have witnessed how detrimental Russia’s war on Ukrainehas been for global grain prices. The world has changed and it is essentialthat our approach to food security responds to that change.”
The Wicklow Wexford TD has been a long-term advocate forincreased investment in Irish commercial flour mills and has previously statedthat Ireland is over dependent on international flour imports.
“From January 2015 to December 2024 Ireland imported2,253,871 tonnes of flour at a cost of over €1 Billion. That level of reliancerepresents a dangerous over exposure at a time when global supply chains arebecoming increasingly strained.
“The fundamental function of government is to ensure there isbread on the table. Today’s investment represents the government fulfillingthat duty and planning for long-term geopolitical change.”
The Deputy noted that beyond food security the establishmentof one or more commercial scale flour mills in Ireland would deliver a numberof additional benefits including improved competitiveness and sustainability inthe tillage sector by adding value to tillage crops grown on Irish farms.
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Note to Editor:
Link to flour import data between2015 and 2024
