Bord Bia’s Tesco UK odyssey
Tesco UK's commitment to importing Irish brands and ideas continues this week, as part of an initiative spearheaded by Bord Bia
Print8 June 2015
Last week we reported on the pleasing news that Tesco UK were introducing the FoodCloud food-sharing initiative that had started here in Ireland, whereby they would ensure that surplus food would be distributed to those in need rather than simply discarded. It’s an encouraging sign that the parent company sees Ireland as a source of ideas as well as new products. As for the latter, that is an ongoing project that last week saw Bord Bia and Tesco Ireland run the annual Taste Bud trip, which saw 18 Irish food and drink companies visit the UK to discuss opportunities with Tesco UK stores.
The Taste Bud programme is an initiative that helps Irish producers develop and maintain a listing with Tesco in Ireland and the UK. Since its inception in 2012, it has led to more than €30m in sales among 70 Irish companies – €7.5m of that in the UK.
The most recent taste bud trip included producers of dairy and seafood products, spices and sauces, desserts, beers and more. The trip involved trip one-to-one meetings with key Tesco UK grocery buyers and the opportunity to showcase products to the wider Tesco UK team. The participating companies hope to emulate the success of brands such as Ballymaloe, Lily O’Brien’s and Glenilen, all of whom now export to the UK since participating in the Tesco/Bord Bia programme.
Aidan Cotter, Bord Bia’s Chief Executive, called the trip “an opportunity for some of the most influential buyers in the UK grocery market to experience the best in Irish food and drink produce. It’s an excellent opportunity for Irish food and drink companies to secure an international listing in Tesco and begin exporting quality Irish produce to the UK.”
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