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Welcome to the March edition of Bord Bia's Ireland Market Foodservice Newsletter.

Last week, Maxol announced details of their Homegrown at Maxol supplier programme – an opportunity for one outstanding food or drink producer to win prime shelf space in 72 Maxol stores, in addition to marketing support and mentorship. Further details related to the programme are available here, with a link to the online application form here. Deadline for submission of entry forms and product samples is 31st March 2023.  

 

Trend of the Month

 

Increasing Pressures on Supply Chain Resiliency

Following its driest summer in 500 years, much of Europe is in the grip of a winter drought driven by climate breakdown that is prompting growing concern among governments over the water security for homes, farmers and factories across the continent.

In the immediate term, this is a contributing factor to supply chain shortages of fruit and vegetables – noticeably absent from many supermarket shelves and commanding record prices at wholesale level. The longer term challenges, as described by French president Emmanuel Macron are “sobering”. Source: The Guardian

Separately, but following a similar theme, a new six-part documentary TV series ‘Food Matters’ presented by GIY Founder Michael Kelly is set to air on RTÉ One from Wednesday, March 29th.

Throughout the series, Michael travels across Ireland to meet with farmers, food producers, food experts, climate experts, chefs, economists, ecologists and activists as he digs deep to uncover the complexity of the Irish food system, how it works, how it delivers and how it impacts the environment.

 

General Industry News

 

No more extensions of lower Vat rate for hospitality after August – Leo Varadkar

Business Post – 23.02.2023

There will be no further extensions of the lower Vat rate for the hospitality industry beyond August, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has signalled, after the government opted to keep the tax at 9 per cent following intensive lobbying from pubs, restaurants and hotels. During an address to the Dublin Chamber, Varadkar said the government would “continue to back” businesses in the capital amid ongoing economic turbulence, citing its decision not to return hospitality’s Vat rate to 13.5 per cent as part of a €1.2 billion cost-of-living package announced.

 

Cost of living: inflation has peaked and will be lower than expected this year, Finance Minister says

Independent.ie – 24.02.2023

Inflation has peaked and will be lower this year than previously expected, Finance Minister Michael McGrath has said. A drop in wholesale energy costs means the pace of price increases will fall back to between 4pc and 5pc this year, he said. That is well over the rate before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but significantly under the 7pc to 8pc forecast when Budget 2023 was announced, he said in a speech delivered at the Irish Tax Institute annual dinner in Dublin. On the international front, incoming data suggests that the global downturn may not be as severe as previously assumed, he said. Domestically, despite the challenges weighing on economic activity, the Irish economy has proven to be remarkably resilient and is poised for growth in the second quarter of the year, he said.

 

Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) & Pub Sector

 

Sandwich chain Subway to explore sale

Hospitality Ireland – 15.02.2023

Subway said on Tuesday 14 February it was exploring a possible sale of its business as the sandwich chain faces surging costs and mounting competition from deeper-pocketed rivals. The Wall Street Journal said last month a potential sale could value Subway at more than $10 billion. Founded in 1965 by 17-year-old Fred DeLuca and family friend Peter Buck, the company has been owned by the founding families since its first restaurant opened as "Pete's Super Submarines" in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It now has more than 37,000 restaurants in over 100 countries

 

Camile Thai introduces reusable packaging in partnership with Vytal Ireland

Hospitality Ireland – 01/032023

From Monday 13 March, customers visiting Camile Thai Pearse Street will have the option to choose to reuse when they order their favourite signature dish, with no deposit required. Patrons have 14 days to return the packaging to the restaurant, where it will be reabsorbed into the system and ready for its next use. Daniel Greene, Managing Director of Camile Thai Kitchen, said, “We are proud to be the first takeaway in Ireland to offer our customers the opportunity to choose to reuse their packaging with Vytal’s innovative technology. As a business, Camile is committed to supporting the development of sustainable communities by discovering new solutions to industry issues that are contributing to climate change.

 

Hotel & Restaurant Sector

 

Green light for Howth Castle’s €10m redevelopment plan

Irish Times – 28.02.2023

Irish property investor Tetrarch Capital and the Michael J Wright hospitality group have received planning permission from Fingal County Council for their planned redevelopment of Howth Castle in north Dublin, subject to 35 conditions being met. Tetrarch and the Wright Group had sought permission for a new 150-seat restaurant to be built in a glass-covered pavilion within the castle’s stable yard. The site was to include a revamped cookery school, a gin-making school, and a range of retail stores. The developers also proposed to including picnic and play areas, a falconry and petting farm, and a garden centre. The National Transport Museum would remain on the site while a 150-seater marquee would be located to the south of the castle for weddings and other events.

 

Boojum co-founder to open digital first ‘whole food’ restaurant concept

Propel Newsletter – 01.03.2023

A new digital first, whole food concept is set to open in Belfast in the spring following a £350,000 investment. Meaning “true”, Vero has been set-up by entrepreneur Andrew Maxwell, who has a proven track record of building and scaling restaurants over the last 15 years – including the Mexican food chain, Boojum. Maxwell said the solo venture reflects his passion for helping to make it easier for people to incorporate whole food into their day-to-day life. Located on the ground floor of Bedford House in Bedford Street, the 2,000 square-foot eatery, which will create 35 jobs, will have seating for 35 diners and a separate digital hub entrance dedicated to the processing and collection of online orders.

 

Contract Catering Sectors

 

BWG Foods' new butchery arm debuts at CATEX

Hospitality Ireland 23.02.2023

BWG Foods has introduced its new dedicated meat and master butchery arm, William's Gate, at Ireland's largest foodservice and hospitality event, CATEX. William's Gate is a supplier of meats to food businesses all over Ireland and is now a core part of the foodservice offering from BWG Foods to restaurants, hotels, gastropubs, public and private institutions in Ireland. From BWG's facility in Galway, William's Gate supplies steaks, pork, lamb and chicken, as well as a range of breakfast and deli meats and bespoke custom burger blends.

 

Applegreen joins Stonehouse Wholesale/Retail Group

Shelflife.ie – 22.02.2023

Applegreen is to join independent wholesale/retail group Stonehouse Marketing Ltd. As part of the agreement, Applegreen will now join the Stonehouse members buying group. “With a network of wholesale depots across Ireland serving both the retail and food sector, Stonehouse is excited to see that network grow with the iconic Applegreen brand now becoming part of the group,” Stonehouse said in a press statement. “Since its inception, Applegreen has been a brand based on quality and trust,” said Stonehouse Chief Executive Tom Shipsey. “I have been a huge admirer of the growth and strategic direction of Applegreen, and Stonehouse looks forward to Applegreen joining Stonehouse as we strengthen and grow the Irish Independent retail sector.”