The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD visited ANUGA today to officially launch Ireland’s presence at the show and to promote the Irish food industry’s credentials as a leader in the production of sustainable food. During his visit to Germany, Minister Coveney and representatives from Bord Bia met with the CEO of Metro Group, the world’s fourth largest retailer with an annual turnover of €67 billion.
Seventeen Irish food companies are participating at the world’s largest trade fair in Cologne, Germany, this week. Bord Bia is organising and coordinating the Irish presence at ANUGA, represented under Bord Bia’s ‘Origin Green’ stands in the meat and dairy halls of the global showcase.Speaking in advance of his visit, Minister Coveney said: “International trade events such as ANUGA remain a critical business development platform for Irish food exporters and are fundamental to the industry’s drive in meeting the ambitious growth targets set out in Food Harvest 2020. This is a unique opportunity to meet and build relationships with new and existing buyers from all over the world, as well as Germany, our second largest export market in continental Europe after France.”
Ireland’s main food and drink exports to Germany are valued at €519 million in 2012 and Germany is also the largest continental market for Irish pigmeat. Michael Carey, chairman, Bord Bia commented, “It is encouraging that Irish food and drink exporters continue to grow their business in an increasingly competitive European marketplace. Exports to Germany continued to grow in 2013, with January to June figures showing an increase of 21.3%, or €50 million, compared to the corresponding period last year. The value increases included prepared foods (+50%), dairy (+30%) and beef (+20%).”
Meeting Metro
Minister Coveney, Bord Bia and Ireland’s Ambassador to Germany Michael Collins, travelled from Cologne to Dusseldorf to meet with senior representatives from retail giant Metro, including CEO of Metro Group* Hr. Olaf Koch. Metro Group is the largest food retailer in Germany, reaching sales of €25.8 billion in 2011, accounting for almost 40% of their worldwide sales.Bord Bia CEO Aidan Cotter said: “Metro Group is Ireland’s single largest customer for Irish beef and lamb in Germany and also a major customer across dairy, beverages and seafood. Over 20 Irish suppliers are among its customers - from Irish Distillers and Dawn Meats to Connemara Seafood and Ballymaloe Relish. During the meeting, Minister Coveney will present Ireland's strategy for the food sector - Food Harvest 2020 - and highlight Ireland’s progress on sustainability through Bord Bia’s Origin Green programme. Representatives from Metro Group attended our Global Sustainability Conference held in Dublin last week and this timely meeting will help further develop the relationship between Ireland's food industry and a key global retailer.”
This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.
