Food sector targets Russian market

AN emerging middle class and the development of a modern retailing sector are expected to open up new opportunities for all Irish food products in Russia over the next decade.

Agriculture and Food Minister Mary Coughlan arrived yesterday in St Petersburg to capitalise on this trend by launching a Bord Bia promotion drive today for Irish beef and pork.

Bord Bia said the growth in food demand is largely driven by the increase in disposable income and the rapidly emerging Russian middle class. The proportion of consumer income spent on food and drink is 56% of their total income, which is relatively high by western standards.