IDB plan to target developing markets

CHINA, Africa and other emerging economies will be core targets for new dairy products developed at the new Dairy Innovation Centre in Fermoy, Co Cork.

Formally launched last Friday, the joint initiative by the Irish Dairy Board (IDB) and farm research group Teagasc, the new product lines are being developed in tandem with an ambitious marketing strategy. The rise of affluent middle classes in China and other like economies is integral to that strategy.

IDB innovation and strategy manager Karen Thompson said the innovation centre will help deliver on the target of growing the “international markets” segment to 30-35% of IDB’s overall exports. The present split is 78% to the EU and 22% to world markets.