Ian Talbot, chief executive of Chambers Ireland and International Chamber of Commerce Ireland, said the EU-Mercosur trade deal “will help level the playing field for Irish exporters”.
The size of the opportunity “should not be underestimated, and is welcome when the cost of business is increasing,” Talbot said.
the Interim trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur It came into effect yesterday (Friday 1 May).
The trade agreement will allow an additional 99,000 tonnes of beef from Mercosur countries to enter the EU at a reduced tariff rate of 7.5%, which will be phased in over six years.
An additional 180,000 tons of poultry will also be allowed to enter the European Union at a lower tariff.
The Interim Trade Agreement covers the commercial aspects of the broader EU-Mercosur Association Agreement.
Talbot said the agreement had the potential to “expand the range of goods and services available to Irish consumers and support increased competition, which could contribute to more competitive prices over time and help address cost of living pressures”.
He added: “These are large, dynamic economies with increasing demand for high-quality goods and services.
“This favors our local businesses.
“For sectors such as agri-food, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, engineering, ICT and professional services, reducing tariffs and regulatory barriers on this scale will make a real, practical difference on the ground.”
Mercosur
Talbot said the agreement was “as much about long-term competitiveness as it is about immediate market access.”
He said: “Trade agreements directly affect companies’ ability to compete, invest and create job opportunities.
“The EU-Mercosur agreement will also help level the playing field for Irish exporters who will now be able to diversify further outside traditional markets.”
He acknowledged that implementation would be key, and said companies needed support to take advantage of new opportunities.
“Getting the deal over the line is just the first step.
Talbot added: “We now need a strong focus on engaging with businesses, especially SMEs, to fully realize what the agreement has to offer.”
Sinn Fein
But Sinn Féin’s agriculture and food spokesman, Martin Kenny, described the implementation of the Mercosur trade agreement as a “disaster.”
“We have been discussing the Mercosur deal for years now and it is widely accepted that this trade agreement is a disaster for Irish agriculture and Irish consumers,” he said.
According to Representative Kenney, before the deal was implemented, “the amount of beef coming from Mercosur countries was increasing year after year.”
He stated that “200,000 tons of beef were imported to the European Union in 2025.”
Sinn Féin’s agriculture and food spokesman said Mercosur countries would now be allowed “99,000 tonnes of beef at a reduced tariff of 7.5%”.
MP Kenny said: “We have already seen a 5% decline in the volume of Irish beef exports to the EU last year and a 5% decline in the volume of Irish beef exported to the UK last year.
“Livestock mortality productivity is also reported to have declined by 72,000 head so far this year.
“Mercosur is impacting the Irish beef sector and the Irish Government must take notice.”
