Bord Bia today launched a new, intensified, drive to broaden the food industry’s market reach and boost its exports, valued at €8.2 billion in 2008. The task of “Broadening Export Reach” has become a major strategic priority for Bord Bia in light of the challenges facing the industry as a result of the global economic downturn and the depreciation of sterling.
Speaking at Anuga 2009, among the world’s largest food trade fairs, taking place in Cologne, Germany, Mr Trevor Sargent TD, Minister for Food and Horticulture at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food welcomed the Irish industry’s largest ever presence at the biennial trade event: "The Irish food industry, accounting for two thirds of our indigenous exports, has a significant role to play in Ireland’s economic renewal. I am delighted to see such a broad and impressive representation of Irish food companies leading the drive to build exports at this crucial time for our economy. I look forward to even closer relationships being built with customers and buyers on the values and quality of food from Ireland, the green and sustainable food island."
According to Dan Browne, Chairman of Bord Bia “Although the UK will continue to be Ireland’s single largest export market, accounting for 43% of our exports in 2008, other Eurozone markets offer the prospect of new opportunities and more stability in the light of recent exchange rate volatility. Ireland’s significant presence at Anuga is one of a number of market building initiatives planned by Bord Bia to assist the food industry broaden its export reach. Additional key initiatives include our new Marketing Fellowship Programme and Marketplace 2010.”
Anuga 2009
Thirty Irish food and drink companies are participating at Anuga 2009, taking place from October 10th – 14th. Bord Bia is organising and coordinating representatives from the meat and dairy sectors to seafood and frozen foods, exhibiting across six halls (full list below).
Anuga is widely regarded as the most important event in the international food and drink calendar, attended by senior management across the industry. Over 6,600 suppliers and 163,000 visitors from 175 countries attended Anuga in 2007, with 83 percent coming from outside Germany.
According to Bord Bia Chief Executive, Aidan Cotter, Ireland’s participation at the event comes at a critical time. “The Irish food and drink industry is experiencing probably the most challenging period in its entire history. Yet, as the world will need to double food production by 2050 to meet the needs of an expanding population, the potential for the industry to expand is immense”.
Bord Bia earlier launched a targeted trade awareness campaign, in advance of Anuga, aimed at attracting key buyers to meet with Irish companies during the event. Over 3,000 new and existing buyers, including representatives from the top 20 retail outlets in the EU, were targeted.
Bord Bia Marketing Fellowship
Twenty five graduate Fellows have now been selected and recruited for the Bord Bia Marketing Fellowship Programme, launched earlier this year. Induction training is set to commence this week (Monday 12th October) as the Fellows prepare to undertake in excess of 160 assignments across 11 markets on behalf of 113 Irish food and drink companies.
The Programme, aimed at boosting Irish food and drink exports and supporting Irish companies expand their market reach is being run in association with the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. All food industry sectors, from prepared consumer foods to meat, dairy, beverages, seafood and horticulture will be covered by the Programme and the markets will include the UK, Continental Europe, Russia, Asia and the United States.
Marketplace 2010
Bord Bia has also decided to bring forward Marketplace 2010, a one day business networking event, to build on the momentum of the Fellowship Programme. The third Marketplace Ireland event will take place in Croke Park, Dublin on February 9th and according to Bord Bia, it will be the key business development event for the food industry in 2010. It is expected the event will attract upwards of 250 European, International and also Irish, Retail and Foodservice buyers to meet with Irish food and drink companies.
Ireland’s Largest Indigenous Industry
Irish food and drink exports fell for the first time in 2008, by 6.5 percent, to just under €8.2 billion. Following two years of substantial growth which saw €1.4 billion added to the value of Irish food and drink exports, a further decline is anticipated in 2009 arising from continued sterling pressure, severe difficulties in the global dairy market, and the impact of the economic downturn which is bringing pressure on returns across all sectors. However, there is some prospect for a return to growth in 2010.
Ireland’s agri-food sector plays an important role in the Irish economy, accounting for almost 9% of employment and 10% of Irish exports. As much as 65% of manufacturing exports by Irish-owned firms are estimated to consist of food and drink. The UK is the main destination for Irish food and drink exports, accounting for 45% of the total; 32% go to Continental EU markets with the remaining 23% going to non-EU markets. The Irish food and drink sector has the highest usage of Irish produced inputs across major sectors in the Irish economy with close to three quarters of the sector’s inputs sourced domestically.
Irish Exhibitors at Anuga 2009
Meat Hall 6.1
- AIBP
- Ashbourne Meats
- Dawn Meats Group
- Irish Country Meats
- Kepak Group /Agra Trading Ltd
- Kildare Chilling Co.
- Liffey Meats
- QK Meats
- Rosderra Irish Meats Group Ltd
- Silverhill Foods
- Slaney Foods International
Dairy Hall 10.1
- Irish Dairy Board
- Glenisk Ltd
- 10 Irish Farmhouse Cheeses
Drinks Hall 8.1
- First Ireland Spirits
- Gleeson Group
Bread Bakery & Hot Beverage Hall 2.2
- Java Republic Roasting Company
Frozen Food Hall 4.2
- Dawn Farm Foods
- Dawn Fresh
- Green Isle Foods
- Fastnet Mussels Ltd/Murphy’s Irish Seafood