Feeding frenzy as 5,000 buyers spend €30m savouring haute cuisine

AN estimated €30 million in sales is expected to have been generated at SHOP 2006, Ireland’s retail food and drink exhibition, which ends at the RDS today.

The three-day event attracted more than 5,000 key national buyers and more than 250 exhibitors from Ireland and abroad, who showcased a wide variety of products.

These ranged from gluten free meals and exotic meats to organic spices and luxury handmade chocolates and from hand-made gourmet pork products and farmhouse cheese to fresh fruit smoothies and vodka and berry liqueurs.