Musgrave and Oliver Carty boost pig farming with ‘100% Irish’ deal

WHOLESALE groups Musgrave and Oliver Carty Ltd have signed a 2½-year deal to supply 100% Irish bacon and ham in SuperValu and Centra stores nationwide.

Industry circles are viewing this new “100% Irish” deal as a major boost for Irish pig farming.

Roscommon-based Oliver Carty Ltd has been servicing Musgrave’s SuperValu and Centra outlets since 1995. Bolstered by the deal, Carty Ltd plans to expand its capacity significantly to exploit further sales opportunities.

Carty Ltd managing director, Ted Carty, said: “We have worked in partnership with Musgrave to supply bacon and ham products for SuperValu and Centra since 1995.

“As they have grown, we have grown; our work together is the epitome of a truly mutually beneficial partnership.

“Over the years Musgrave has always been committed to buying only Irish pig meat for its brands and it is great to see them stay true to this commitment, and deliver not only great quality Irish meat, but at a price the consumer can appreciate, even in these recessionary times.”

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney praised Musgrave’s commitment to homegrown produce.

He said the deal was a welcome boost to the Irish pigmeat sector, which has farm-gate value in excess of €300 million and supports over 7,000 jobs.

The Irish food sector contributes over €2.6 billion to the Irish economy every year, serving to both create and protect almost 300,000 Irish jobs in the farm, food and retail sector.

Mr Coveney said: “Developments such as this show that the industry has a very positive future if all stakeholders work together.

“Bacon and ham remain a firm favourite of Irish families and the benefit of this announcement will be felt at all levels of the supply chain.”

The new contract is part of SuperValu and Centra’s commitment to Irish food and farming, and should help sustain jobs in the Irish pig meat sector in particular.

Established in 1950, Oliver Carty Ltd supplies over 2.5 million rashers every week. Since its first partnership with Musgrave, Carty has grown from an annual turnover of €792,000 and 11 employees to €44m and 130 employees.

Last year SuperValu and Centra sold over €1bn worth of fresh Irish food. Some 75% of everything sold in SuperValu and Centra is sourced or produced in Ireland. SuperValu and Centra only stock ‘Grade 1’ meat and ‘Class 1’ fruit and vegetables.

Musgrave managing director Martin Kelleher said: “This new deal with Oliver Carty demonstrates our ongoing commitment to Irish suppliers and further underlines our credentials as the only retailer to stock 100% Irish beef, pork, bacon, lamb and chicken, born, bred and reared in Ireland.”