"China has replaced Japan as Ireland's most important export market in Asia and, with the Chinese dairy market predicted to double in value to €25 billion by 2010, presents enormous export opportunities for Irish industry" said Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive of Bord Bia addressing senior members of the Chinese food and dairy industry in Shanghai today.
Coinciding with the Food Ingredients China (FIC) Exhibition, the largest dairy and food ingredients event in China, Bord Bia and fellow food industry representatives including the Department of Agriculture and Food and Teagasc, presented a seminar entitled ‘Ireland Your Successful Ingredient'. The seminar was designed to promote Ireland as a world class source of innovative and quality dairy and food ingredient products. Specifically, its objective was to inform key officials and decision makers from some of the leading Chinese dairy, food ingredients and food processing companies of Ireland's pre-eminent position in this sector. Currently Ireland's dairy exports to China are valued at €40 million per year. Top Irish food companies including Dairygold, Glanbia and Kerry also participated in the event.
"As a major producer and exporter, Ireland is well positioned to supply China's growing demand. The Chinese Government has a stated aim of encouraging the consumption of dairy products and we are keen to work to meet this demand. Ireland is a highly developed supplier of dairy products which are solutions orientated. We can and will be the ‘successful ingredient' for the Chinese market" commented Aidan Cotter, CEO, Bord Bia.
The seminar featured five presentations from some of Ireland's leading authorities from the Irish dairy and food ingredients sector including Mr. Philip Carroll, Director of Milk Policy, Department of Agriculture and Food; Professor Liam Donnelly, Director of Food Research, Teagasc; Mr. Michael Barry, Irish Dairy Industries Association (IDIA); Dr. Velamar Krishnakumar, Managing Director, GIRACT* and Mr. Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive, Bord Bia.
Bord Bia has set up a representative office in Shanghai to build on the current level of business in the region and to develop new business for Irish food and drink companies. As a commitment to the Asia Strategy, Bord Bia has developed a dedicated dairy strategy which aims to increase Irish dairy and food ingredients exports to China and the Asian region.
The FIC Exhibition is scheduled to run from Wednesday 28th March until Friday 30th March in Shanghai.
Ends
Notes to Editor
GIRACT is the leading transnational business research & consultancy organisation specialising in food ingredients, additives and related fine chemicals and technologies.
FIC Exhibition - Irish participant companies:- Dairygold
- Glanbia
- Irish Dairy Board
- Kerry
- Lakeland's
- Nutrition Supplies
For further information contact:
Roz O'Shaughnessy, Corporate Communications, Bord Bia
Tel: 01 6142258 / 086 4054639
Email: rosaleen.oshaughnessy@bordbia.ie