The Republic of Ireland’s Prime Minister Enda Kenny has visited Bord Bia’s new Polish office in Warsaw, as the country looks to drive exports of its food and drink to 11 targeted central European markets.
Alongside Bord Bia chief executive Tara McCarthy and Irish exporters, Kenny highlighted the value of Ireland as a source of sustainable produced food and drink to importers during a business event in the Embassy of Ireland.
According to Bord Bia the key sectors driving growth of Irish exports in the region are meat, mainly driven by beef and pigmeat in Poland; prepared foods; and beverages.
Bord Bia specifically identified the potential of further growth of Irish beef in Poland as, despite it doubling in value in the Polish market over the last five years to €9 million, the “lack of standardisation and a very fragmented industry create an opportunity for further growth of Irish beef in Poland, especially in the foodservice sector”.
Poland is Ireland’s eighth largest EU market for food and drink with exports reaching an estimated €185 million in 2016, an increase of 15% on the previous year.
McCarthy commented: “This office opens at a time when many Irish companies are looking to new opportunities while still holding their positions in traditional markets.
“The value of trade to Poland has almost trebled over the last five years with dairy, beverages and prepared foods all showing strong growth in 2016. The potential for further growth here and in emerging EU markets will increase their attractiveness to exporters and the increasing awareness of Origin Green will offer important assurances to buyers on sustainable sourcing.
“Bord Bia Warsaw will provide exporters with the resources, consumer insight and market intelligence necessary to help them maximise opportunities in these markets.”
Kenny added: “Our food and drink industry has always embraced the challenge of finding new markets for our produce, exporting over 80% of what we produce.
“From this strategic location Bord Bia can pave the way to new and valuable markets reaching to the eastern borders of the EU with a combined population of 103 million and a retail market worth €177 billion. While our three largest markets in the region currently absorb 85% of exports, there exists huge potential for further growth.”
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.
