Welcome to the April edition of Bord Bia's Ireland Market Foodservice Newsletter.
Bord Bia’s 2023 Dairy Markets Seminar is taking place on Tuesday, April 18th at the Killashee House Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare.
This is a dedicated event for Irish dairy exporters and stakeholders, informing the sector on latest market trends and developments.
We’re delighted to confirm that Peter Jackson, CEO with Sysco (Brake) GB will participate on the customer panel session taking place pre-lunch.
For a detailed agenda and to register your attendance, please visit this link. Note that this event is open to Bord Bia client companies only.
Date announced for Foodservice Lunch&Learn Webinar
Delighted to confirm that Bord Bia is arranging a Foodservice Lunch&Learn webinar on Monday, May 8th from 1-2PM.
Maria Castroviejo, Senior Analyst with Rabobank’s Rabo Research Food & Agribusiness department will introduce findings from their Foodservice in 2023 report in the context of consumer uncertainty and continued cost volatility.
We will also be joined by Grace Binchy, Consumer Insights Specialist with Bord Bia. Grace will introduce Bord Bia’s recent Striking the Balance report, reflecting on the macro drivers that will impact upon our future dietary choices. This research included a mix of in depth interviews with thought leaders and a quantitative consumer study across seven markets. Grace will highlight examples of plant based activity taking place at foodservice level and outline potential future opportunities for the food and drinks industry.
Finally, Maureen Gahan will close the webinar with an update on some of the broader themes taking place at a global foodservice level – building on my presentation from our 2022 Irish foodservice seminar.
To book your place at this event, simply click on this link and submit your contact details.
General Industry News
Euro zone inflation falls more than expected to 6.9% in March
www.rte.ie – 31.03.2023
Inflation across the euro area is estimated to have moderated to 6.9% in March from 8.5% in February, according to an initial "flash" estimate from Eurostat. However, the rate of food inflation has increased again to an annual rate of 15.4%. Energy inflation declined by 0.9% over the month lowering its annual rate to 13.7%. There is now a considerable spread in inflation rates between member states of the euro area. Ireland's estimated annual rate in March was 7% while Spain's was 3.1%. The Baltic states all continue to have double-digit inflation rates.
Dublin Airport promises cleaner toilets, family areas and faster WiFi after summer chaos last year
Independent.ie – 28.03.2023
A range of new measures and improvements to facilities at Dublin Airport are being introduced in time for this summer designed to make the country’s biggest gateway cleaner, more efficient and more comfortable for passengers. Semi-state DAA, which operates Dublin and Cork Airports, confirmed the 15-point plan as it prepares for the beginning of the busy summer season. It includes family seating areas, faster WiFi, more charging points, cleaner toilets and new food and beverage offerings. The airport expects to handle 31.1 million passengers this year. That compares to the 32.9 million it saw in 2019, before the pandemic struck.
Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) & Pub Sector
Dublin’s Virgin Mary Bar Announces Closure
Hospitality Ireland – 28.03.2023
The Virgin Mary bar – the Irish capital’s first non-alcoholic bar – has announced the closure of its venue and a transition to mobile trading. A statement posted on the official Virgin Mary Instagram account read, ‘Dear friends, our time at 54 Capel Street has come to a close. ‘But this marks an exciting new chapter for us…‘The Virgin Mary Bar is going mobile!! ‘As part of the wider @tvmcollective franchise operation, we are thrilled to be bringing our new “TVM On The Road” concept to events, festivals, pop-up venues and much more around the island of Ireland!
Over 65% of restaurants concerned they could have to close in the coming 12 months
www.drinksindustryireland.ie – 29.03.2023
Fears are mounting that restaurants and other businesses in the hospitality sector may be forced to close in the coming 12 months as a result of inflationary and staffing pressures. The Kroll Business Sentiment Survey of Restaurants & Hospitality, carried out in partnership with the Restaurants Association of Ireland, revealed 67% of businesses are concerned for the coming year. These findings follow news of the extension to the reduced VAT rate for the hospitality sector, but at a time when businesses are no longer able to warehouse additional revenue liabilities.
Hotel & Restaurant Sector
Two Cork restaurants awarded stars in prestigious Michelin Guide
RTE 27.03.2023
Two Irish restaurants have been added to the Michelin Guide, securing both a one Michelin star and a two Michelin star rating for the country. The announcement was made as the full list of this year's Michelin stars were awarded across the UK and Ireland. Dede in Baltimore, Co Cork received a second star for its Turkish-inspired dishes, Terre, an intimate and modern restaurant at Castlemartyr Resort in East Cork, was awarded one Michelin star, its first star, and winning praise for maximising what it does with local Irish ingredients.
Dalata Revenue Tops €500M
Hospitalityenews.ie – 01.03.2023
Dalata Hotel Group's annual revenues exceeded €0.5 billion for the first time in 2022 as the company opened six new hotels, including its first hotel in continental Europe - the Clayton Hotel Dusseldorf. Profits after tax came to €96.7m, up 24% on 2019. “We're delighted to exceed revenue of over half a billion for the first time,” said Dalata CEO Dermot Crowley. “That's been helped hugely by opening six new hotels last year and taking over our first hotel in Europe, and our RevPAR on a like-for-like basis is up 14% on 2019.”
Contract Catering Sectors
A Taste of Home: the Irish food world unites in the fight against homelessness
Irish Times – 25.03.2023
Catering company Gather & Gather Ireland, has published a collection of 55 excellent recipes contributed by representatives of the food world in Ireland, and all proceeds will be donated to the Peter McVerry Trust to support their work with the homeless across the country. It is called The Gathered Table: A Taste of Home, and among its pages you will find favourite home-cooking recipes from chefs, farmers, food producers, retailers, and more. To order a copy of the book visit www.ninebeanrowsbooks.com
Sysco Launches its own coffee brand, Citavo
Hospitality Ireland – 13.03.2023
Foodservice provider Sysco has launched its own coffee brand, called Citavo, extending its offering to its 10,000+ customers across the island of Ireland. The barista-style coffee marks Sysco’s first step on a journey to bring an extensive range of own-brand products to the Irish market. The launch of Citavo, which is to be followed by more Sysco brand products, marks a significant extension of the company’s offering, helping to continue to accelerate sales across the island.