€15m deal as Irish beef returns to US

ABP Food Group has signed a deal with Sysco, the first deal to supply beef to the US since the 15-year BSE-focused ban on European beef was lifted a year ago.

The deal will initially see ABP supply €15m of Irish beef annually to Sysco’s steak houses and restaurants in New York and Boston. The relationship between ABP and Sysco was facilitated by Irish food distributor Pallas Foods, a subsidiary of Sysco.

ABP chief executive Paul Finnerty said: “We look forward to growing our partnership with Sysco, who will be key in helping us bring our sustainable, grass-fed, hormone-free Irish beef to the plates of US consumers. We greatly appreciate the efforts of Tadhg Geary and Pallas Foods in helping build this international partnership.