In an effort to increase Irish food and drink exports to the wider Middle East region to €380m by 2025, Bord Bia has launched a three-year endeavour to gain €69m in additional value on the €311m exported in 2021. This export growth will be led by dairy and consumer foods.
Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue led the undertaking on a visit to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this past weekend, accompanied by 14 Irish food and drink companies.
With Irish food and drink exports to these two countries alone valued at €155m in 2021, strong opportunities exist in this rapidly expanding market.
Bord Bia commented that the key objectives for the trade mission is to help drive commercial opportunities for Irish dairy and consumer food exporters, improve government-to-government engagement in the UAE and Saudi Arabia and to enhance the reputation of Ireland as a trusted supplier and trading partner for high-quality, sustainably produced food and drink products. Bord Bia adds that the UAE continues to be an important market for premium Irish beef.
During the five-day trade mission, Bord Bia inaugurated a new Chefs’ Irish Beef Club (CIBC) member into the Dubai chapter. CIBC is an exclusive international forum which brings together high-profile chefs who collectively endorse Irish beef.
The trade mission also included the Irish delegation’s attendance at the Gulfood food, beverage and hospitality trade exhibition, as well as a visit to the food, agriculture and livelihoods-themed week at EXPO 2020.
LSL News.