Class Menu For Dynamic Irish Food Sector

Food news was good news this week with the Republic's Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith welcoming reports that the value of Irish food and drink exports in 2010 increased by 11% to €7.88 billion.

The Bord Bia annual Performance and Prospects report revealed the increase, which Minister Smith said was further evidence of an excellent performance by the sector in difficult trading circumstances.

"It further underlines the critical importance of the sector in terms of economic recovery and employment maintenance and creation," he said.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, exports grew right across the sector with an ever-expanding 'menu' of successes as increases were achieved in exports of dairy products, meat, prepared food products, beverages and seafood, while the value of horticulture exports was maintained.

Food and drink exports accounted for 30% of the growth in total merchandise exports in 2010.

The Minister stressed the fact that the strong performance of the sector in 2010 is not just a short term phenomenon and noted: "I believe that the strong growth figures in 2010, and positive outlook for 2011, serve to further underline the importance of the ambitious, medium term growth targets in Food Harvest 2020, which envisages growing food and drink exports to €12bn by 2020."

He was speaking as news of a major push for both cross-border and international trade was revealed with 14 NI food and drink companies being assisted by Invest Northern Ireland to expand exports at two international shows.

Eight companies will be on the Invest NI stand at CATEX, a major catering equipment and supplies exhibition, which takes place in Dublin from 8-10 February and seven of the companies will be taking part in CATEX for the first time.

Dr Vicky Kell, Invest NI Trade Director, said: "Our programme for local food and drink companies features participation in ten major international exhibitions including CATEX and Gulfood and IFE in London, ANUGA in Cologne, Food Ingredients Europe, Paris and the Private Label event in Amsterdam.

"This programme demonstrates our continued commitment to an industry which contributes over £3bn annually to the local economy and has scope for even faster growth.

"We would also like to see more food and drink companies taking part in our multi-sectoral trade mission programme which includes expanding markets in Europe and South America, as well as India, China, the Arabian Gulf and South Africa.

"Food companies such as Dale Farm, Greenfields and White's used our mission programme last year and secured worthwhile business particularly in China, the Gulf and Brazil.

"CATEX is an important exhibition this year for companies seeking to develop business through the Republic of Ireland, a major market for the local industry and one that has proved a successful first step into exporting for many smaller companies," she said.

(BMcC/GK)