Bord Bia and 13 sweet and snack companies are participating in the International Sweets and Biscuits Fair (ISM) in Cologne, Germany from this Sunday (31st January) until Wednesday (3rd February). ISM is the world’s largest trade fair for the confectionery and snacks industry attracting some 37,000 trade visitors and over 1,500 exhibitors.
The Irish exhibitors are looking to build on the impressive 16% increase in exports from the sector in 2015 to reach €261 million. Bord Bia is coordinating the presence of 10 companies on two Ireland stands under the umbrella of Origin Green, Bord Bia’s sustainability development programme for the Irish food and drink industry. Bord Bia is providing marketing and practical support to participating companies as they look to deepen existing business relations, attract new customers and discover global trends. The companies participating include:
- The Be Sweet Company
- Brodericks
- Butler’s Chocolates
- Keogh's Farm
- Lir Chocolates
- Pandora Bell
- Pandora Bell
- The Chocolate Garden of Ireland
- East Coast Bakehouse
- Glenstal Abbey
- Urney Chocolates / Hadji Bey Confectionery
- The following companies are exhibiting independently:
- Coolmore Foods
- Lily O’Brien’s
- The Jelly Bean Factory / Aran Candy Ltd.
Irish Exports of Confectionery, Chocolate and Snacks
Chocolate confectionery exports increased by 18% last year to an estimates value of €242 million, driven largely by a recovery in exports to the UK on the back of sustained investment in promotional campaigns, with some growth to other EU markets such as Germany. Sweet confectionery exports also experienced an increase as a result of a recovery in consumer spending and a rise in exports to the US and the UK, while higher unit prices resulted in improved exports to other EU markets including Germany, Belgium, Poland and the Netherlands. Bakery products and snacks were one of the strongest performing export categories within prepared foods in 2015, growing by over 35%, reflecting higher sales to the UK in particular.