The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Mary Coughlan T.D today visited CIBUS, the leading international food fair taking place in Parma, Italy. Ireland’s exports of food and drink to Italy last year were worth €365 million, and have grown rapidly over the last five years, driven mainly by a surge in beef exports. Bord Bia is coordinating the six Irish companies exhibiting at the event, recognised for its presentation of premium quality food and drink produce.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Mary Coughlan T.D, today said “The success of Irish beef in the highly discerning Italian marketplace is a huge vote of confidence from consumers in the quality of our product. It is critical that the industry continues to build on its market position and I am pleased to see such a strong presence by the industry, showcasing its products at CIBUS.”
CIBUS 2008 includes eight exhibition halls with a total exhibition area of 100,000 sq metres. Approximately 2,500 companies representing 21 countries are participating this year, with an expected attendance of 90,000 food trade professionals from over 100 countries.
Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive, Bord Bia announced that the Italian trade will also be strongly represented at the forthcoming European Meat Forum in June: “Some 190 buyers have now been confirmed to attend the event taking place in Kilkenny which will showcase premium Irish meat to delegates from 21 European markets. It is a key part of Bord Bia’s premiumisation strategy to assist the continued repositioning of Irish beef in an increasingly competitive European marketplace. “
The Forum will address scenarios for the future of Europe’s premium meat market, changing consumer needs, the formula for “The Perfect Meat Dish” and what meat production and consumption will look like in the future.
As well as attending a conference, delegates will have the opportunity to choose from one of ten locations around the country where they can visit farms operating specialist production systems. To date, some 30 Italian representatives have confirmed their attendance including buyers from some of Italy’s leading supermarket chains.
Irish beef exports to Italy reached 47,000 tonnes in 2007, making Italy the third largest EU market for Irish beef. Italy is Ireland’s fourth largest EU market for food and drink after the UK, France and Germany. The main food products exported, apart from beef are alcoholic beverages (beer, cream liqueurs and whiskey), fish (mussels, prawns, smoked salmon), and milk powders.
CIBUS takes place in Parma, Italy from May 5th to 8th 2008
The European Meat Forum will take place in Kilkenny from June 9th to 10th 2008