On day one of the trade mission to Mexico led by the Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine Michael Creed T.D.,Bord Bia provided a comprehensive briefing for participating Irish food exporters from the agri-food consultancy firm GCMA during which Director General Mr. Juan Carlos Anaya gave a valuable insight into doing business in Mexico and the global influences likely to shape future developments in Mexico’s relationships with its suppliers and customers.
Pictured is Brett Pontoni, Purchasing Director of Binny's Beverage Depot, the largest drinks retailer in Mid-West America, with the Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Michael Creed T.D and Tara McCarthy, Bord Bia's CEO at a trade showcase in Chicago as part of a week-long trade mission to the US and Mexico
In the afternoon Bord Bia CEO Tara McCarthy addressed Mexican importers, distributors and state enterprises on the impact that Origin Green, Ireland's national programme for sustainable food production has had on Irish food exporters and the product differentiation it can provide Mexican importers in their relationship with their own customers and consumers.
Embassy event
At the launch by Minister Creed of the Irish Mexican Chamber of Commerce in the Embassy of Ireland last evening Tara Mc Cathy called on the members of the Chamber to share the message of Origin Green with their Mexican business partners and contacts.
Official engagement
During the day Tara Mc Carthy participated in the bilateral meeting between Minister Creed and Undersecretary for Trade and engagements with trade representatives from the Mexican meat sectors.
As the delegation prepares to leave Mexico Tara McCarthy reflected on the success of the visit:
"This trade mission to the US and Mexico has been a very rewarding and will deepen our understanding of how these markets can work for the benefit of Irish exporters.
Our official engagement with government officials and trade representatives as well as retail visits point to real opportunities for growth in exports to both countries. I was very encouraged by the response of importers to our presentations on Origin Green and our offer to assist them in embracing sustainable food production.
The meetings at official level provided an insight into the changing trading relationships between the two countries and the opportunities that can flow from our increased engagement with both."