Bacon deal for Dew Valley

Co Tipperary-based food supplier Dew Valley Foods has signed a deal thought to be worth at least €2m over the next five years to provide bacon to fast food giant McDonald’s.

The Thurles-based firm will supply up to 9m pieces of cooked Irish bacon — or 36 tonnes — annually to the chain’s 84 Irish restaurants.

Dew Valley owner, Jack Blake, said his company is currently looking at export opportunities for mainland Europe; with this contract potentially paving the way for such a move.

“We are delighted to secure this contract and partner with McDonald’s — a globally recognised brand — and we hope that it will open new doors of opportunity for the company in overseas markets.”

Simon Coveney, the agriculture minister, said the deal is “a significant vote of confidence” in the sector; and noted the possibility of supply extending to McDonald’s European network.

“As global consumption of pigmeat products is expected to grow steadily over the period to 2020, the challenge for the Irish industry is to share in that growth — this deal is a great example of an innovative Irish company rising to that challenge.”