Irish consumers are spending more on fruit and vegetables in retail outlets as sales reach almost the €1 billion mark. This is equivalent to 13% of the total grocery market. Sales of fresh produce increased by over 5% to €996.75 million in 2005. Fresh fruit which accounts for 46% of the total fresh produce market has made the most significant gain with an increase of over 8% on the previous year.
These comments were made by Bord Bia Chief Executive, Aidan Cotter at the presentation of the Bord Bia National Horticulture Quality Awards to the top fresh produce growers and industry representatives in Lynch’s Green Isle Hotel, Dublin last night. The Awards represent the achievement of exceptional standards in the production and handling of fresh produce.
Presenting the Awards, Mr. Brendan Smith T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food commented: "The horticulture sector is one of the most dynamic sectors of the agri-food industry with the capacity for substantial growth and development. Under the 2015 Action Plan we will endeavour to further invigorate the sector with a range of measures not least of which is substantial funding under the new national development plan."
The Bord Bia National Horticulture Quality Award recipients for 2005 are:
| width="25%">Field Vegetables | width="75%">John B. Dockrell, Co.Wexford |
| >Fruit | >Glen Fruits, Co. Waterford |
| >Mushrooms | >Slievebloom Mushrooms, Co. Offaly |
| >Protected Food Crops | >Kilbush Nurseries, Co. Dublin |
| >Potatoes | >Eden Brand Potatoes, Co. Wexford |
Thirty-five growers received special category National and Regional Quality Awards for the achievement of exceptional standards. Preparers and packers of fresh produce were also presented with Quality Award Certificates. 2005 was the first year to include the Prepared Sector in the Quality Programme.
The Bord Bia Quality Awards are presented to successful participants in recognition of the achievement of the Bord Bia standards established for the horticultural industry. These standards consist of a code of practice for the production, handling, packing, preparing, storage and transport of produce. Awards are presented to growers, preparers and prepackers, following independent adjudication by the National Standards Authority of Ireland for compliance to Bord Bia standards. Certificates of Merit are also presented to those participants who display significant levels of improvement in standards.
ENDS
Note to Editor
• Of the €996.7 million retail sales of fresh produce, this is comprised of vegetables sales of €380.7 million, potato sales of €162.5 million and €453.5 million on fruit.
• In terms of the Bord Bia Quality Programme, the Board has nominated the National Standards Authority of Ireland (N.S.A.I) to carry out independent inspection and certification of Quality Programme producers in line with EN45011 requirements. EN45011 is the standard for the European accreditation of bodies who are involved in certification.