Arkady predicts agri-food trading surge after milk quota regime ends

GLOBAL animal feedstuff trader Arkady Feed Ltd is predicting a surge in Irish agri-food trading after the end of the EU’s restrictive milk quota regime in 2015.

Ireland-based Arkady director Gary McGuigan said the fact that Ireland already exports 80% of its agri-food output shows that the sector has a proven track record. This bodes well for the sector’s ability to deliver on its Food Harvest 2020 goals.

Mr McGuigan said: “Ireland is being held back by the milk quota system, which is a bit of joke, given that the full quota hasn’t even been used up in the rest of the EU. Ireland is a natural grassland-based milk producer and it is ideally placed to capitalise on the post-quota opportunities.”

Arkady Feed Ltd is a subsidiary of Alfred C Toepfer International (ACTI), a global trading house with operations in 24 countries. ACTI is 80% owned by US giant ADM, and 20% by French co-op Union Invivo.

Arkady has been trading in animal feed in Ireland for over 30 years, based in Dublin’s port. It recently began construction on a 110,000sq ft bulk feed store at the Port of Cork’s deep-water berth in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork.

BAM contractors have been awarded the contract to build the facility.

Mr McGuigan said: “This was a strategic investment on our behalf. It is in a fantastic deep-water location that will allow us bring in bigger ships. We are building for the future. This move is a vote of confidence in Irish agriculture.”

The formal launch of construction was attended by the Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney.

The animal feed sector is a vital link in Ireland’s €8bn agri-food sector, predicted to grow to €13bn in coming years.

Mr Coveney said: “I wish Arkady Feed Ltd every success for their new bulk feed store in Ringaskiddy. The dry bulks sector is up 9% for the first nine months of 2011, which shows this sector is likely to see further growth.”