Peat firm’s business mushrooms in Africa

A MONAGHAN firm has secured the first major contract as part of a Government trade mission to South Africa taking place this week.

Clones-based Harte Peat, which provides deeply dug wet peat for the mushroom industry, signed a distribution deal with a local partner company which will see its products distributed throughout South Africa.

The deal will see Harte Peat’s produce being used by 35% of the South African mushroom market within 18 months.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin said the deal shows that Harte Peat and its 25 employees in Clones have become world leaders in their field.

“Harte have developed a quality environmentally friendly product which has been successfully launched in many markets since the company was established in 1987.”

During the contract signing in Cape Town, the company’s managing director Thomas O’Harte briefed Mr Martin on the company and planned developments.

More than 50 Irish companies are taking part in the Enterprise Ireland trade mission to South Africa this week.

The trade mission moves to Johannesburg this morning following what Mr Martin said was a very successful first leg in Cape Town.