Bord Bia maximised the recent visit of Taoiseach Enda Kenny T.D. to Spain to raise the profile of Irish food with key Spanish food buyers.
The Taoiseach called to the Spanish capital as part of his intensive engagement with EU partners around Brexit and then met with key representatives of top retailers Carrefour and El Corte Inglés, two of Ireland's main customers in Spain. The Taoiseach also met with Javier López, Managing Director of Asoprovac, the national cattle finishers association, during a reception hosted by the Ambassador of Ireland to Spain, Mr. David Cooney.
The Taoiseach thanked the invited guests for their support of Irish food and emphasised the importance of the Spanish market which was valued at over €245m in 2016, a 16% increase on the previous year driven by beef, dairy, beverages and seafood exports. He also highlighted the progress in live exports which grew in value last year to reach almost €13m.
During his recent visit the Taoiseach met with Bord Bia staff and key Spanish business representatives at the Ambassador`s residence. Pictured with the Taoiseach were (l-r) Javier López of Asoprovac, Cecilia Ruiz, Bord Bia Spain, Daniel Donnellan of Sofrimar/Shellfish Ireland, and Roisin O’ Sullivan, Bord Bia Spain.