Speciality and small food firms want bigger slice of pie

SMALL and speciality food firms want a larger slice of the €10.7 billion food trade purchasing pie on the island of Ireland.

To help them achieve that aim, Bord Bia and Invest Northern Ireland have jointly published the first all-island guide to small business and speciality food.

Food Minister Noel Treacy launched the single point of reference guide for Irish trade food buyers in Drumshambo, Co Leitrim, heart of a groundswell in food-based activity supporting, in particular, speciality food.

Muiris Kennedy, director Client Services, Bord Bia, said the speciality food element of the €10.7 billion purchasing budget is increasing. They would like to see the sector's share of that growing niche maximised. Currently, the output of small and speciality food firms in Ireland is estimated at €450m per annum and the sector is showing annual growth of 18%.Mr Treacy said the strength and influence of local food initiative with national impact is becoming a signature for the north-west. The area is seeing annual average growth rates of 28% among small and speciality food businesses, 10% ahead of the national average.

"This growth is a reflection of vibrant local food entrepreneurship and is being achieved through innovation and an ability to develop strong market niches for trade buyer and consumer benefit," he said. Mr Treacy said he was particularly taken with the initiative of a new food hub for the area, acting as an incubation, growth and development space for growing food ventures.

The hub's commercial approach of securing a pre-build anchor tenant commitment and its link back into organic farming and production is unique and central to its potential success, he said.

Mr Treacy said people in the north-west clearly recognise the value of speciality food as a backbone to rural development.