Italian buyers targeted at huge fair on back of beef exports surge

IRELAND’S €360 million food and drink trade to Italy was mainly driven by a surge in beef exports over the past five years, it was revealed yesterday.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Mary Coughlan said the success of Irish beef in the highly discerning Italian marketplace is a huge vote of confidence from consumers in the quality of the product.

She was speaking at CIBUS, the three-day international food fair, which continues in Parma, Italy, until Thursday.

“It is critical that the industry continues to build on its market position, and I am pleased to see such a strong presence by the industry, showcasing its products at CIBUS,” she said.

Some 2,500 companies from 21 countries are participating this year, with an expected attendance of 90,000 food trade professionals from 100 countries.

Bord Bia is co-ordinating the participation of six Irish companies, AIBP, Dawn Meats, Kepak, Liffey Meats, Slaney Meats and TMC.

Italy is the third largest EU market for Irish beef, and this country’s fourth largest European Union market for food and drink.

The main food products exported, apart from beef, are alcoholic beverages (beer, cream liqueurs and whiskey), fish (mussels, prawns, smoked salmon), and milk powders.

Bord Bia chief executive Aidan Cotter announced that the Italian trade will be strongly represented at the European Meat Forum in Kilkenny on June 9 and 10.

Mr Cotter said the Forum will address scenarios for the future of Europe’s premium meat market, changing consumer needs, the formula for the “Perfect Meat Dish”, and what meat production and consumption will look like in the future.

Delegates will have the opportunity to choose from one of 10 locations around the country where they can visit farms operating specialist production systems.

Some 30 Italian representatives have confirmed their attendance, including buyers from some of Italy’s leading supermarket chains.