Business booming at Bord Bia’s Marketplace
75%, of the overseas buyers in Ireland this week are from outside the eurozone, with their buying power boosted by the strength of sterling and the dollar
Print26 March 2015
The prospects for major business deals emerging from Marketplace 2015 have been greatly enhanced by the euro’s recent depreciation, according to Bord Bia’s chief executive Aidan Cotter.
Speaking at the Convention Centre Dublin today (26 March), Cotter said: “Some 300, or 75%, of the overseas buyers in Ireland this week are from outside the eurozone, with their buying power boosted by the strength of sterling and the dollar, up 12% and 20% respectively against the euro compared with a year earlier. Combined with the lifting of milk quotas and the opening of the Chinese and US beef markets, the opportunity presented by Marketplace could not have come at a better time.”
Over 500 food buyers from all around the world gathered in Dublin today for Bord Bia’s fifth Marketplace event. The buyers, who travelled from over 34 countries, met with 185 Irish food and drink companies, ranging in size and profile from small enterprises to multinationals through a series of over 5,000 pre-scheduled ‘speed-dating’ style meetings.
Opening the event this morning, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney welcomed the overseas buyers saying: “Through your visits earlier this week, many of you will have seen how this is an industry where world-class commitments to quality and food safety are routine. From dairy, meat, ingredients and consumer foods to beverages, bakery, seafood and speciality foods – we share a commitment to produce food in a sustainable manner, supported by the world-class science and innovation.”
During a lunchtime address, Cotter briefed delegates on how Bord Bia’s innovative sustainability programme is underpinning Ireland’s green image.
“Marketplace 2015 also marks a new milestone in the progress of the industry’s unique sustainability journey. All 185 Irish companies are participating under Origin Green branding and are publicly promoting their commitments under the programme.
“Some 80% of Ireland’s food and drink exports are now coming from Origin Green member companies, 90% of beef exports are from farms audited and carbon footprinted under the programme while it is estimated that 95% of milk will be sourced from Origin Green dairy farms by the end of this year” he said.
Bord Bia, in conjunction with the Irish food and drink industry, has put a rigorous follow up plan in place to assist companies convert the opportunities arising from today’s event to real, tangible business. ‘Follow Up’ sessions will take place in two weeks and again in early May.
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