Survey shows Irish food firms are tasting success at home and abroad

NETWORKING has helped lift small Irish food businesses to sales growth of 7%, while also developing overseas markets, according to a survey by Bord Bia.

The national food promotion body yesterday hosted its Small Business Seminar in Enfield, Co Meath, to highlight success stories among its pool of 400 small food businesses, whose collective annual turnover has risen to €400m, rising 7% a year on average since 2007.

Bord Bia attributes part of this success to its small food business online forum Vantage, and to its new Food Entrepreneurs Network.

Network member and co-founder of thriving food business Kooky Dough, Sophie Morris, said: “Small food businesses can, and need to, learn from each other. We share similar experiences and regularly face the same challenges.

“Through knowledge sharing, pooled resources and investment, we can collectively build this important industry and further explore its potential.”

Kooky Dough has been trading since last August. Sophie Morris and Graham Clarke’s range of “home-baked taste” ready-made dough mix is designed to be rolled out and cooked at home, using solely natural Irish ingredients.

Figures released by Bord Bia show that small food businesses in Ireland are enjoying growth in domestic and export markets. A survey showed 70% of small food businesses viewed the prospects for their business in 2011 as good or very good, up from 56% on last year.

Some 74% have increased business with existing customers, 43% have won back business with former customers, while 90% have developed business with new customers. In terms of sales prospects, 65% had increased sales forecasts for 2011.

Bord Bia marketing director, Una Fitzgibbon, said: “We’ve seen significant success in the past few years despite this being perhaps the most difficult period faced by the sector.

“Small business sales are growing even among those dependent on a very challenging Irish market.

“While annual turnover has grown by 7%, certain categories are exceeding this level of growth.

“Non-alcoholic beverages have shown in excess of 40% growth since 2007, driven by an appetite for mineral water and sports drinks; alcoholic beverages increased by more than 30% and charcuterie has grown by over 25% as consumers become more aware of the distinction in deli meats.”

More than 140 food entrepreneurs attended the seminar.