€1.5m trade shows Bandon Co-Op knows its onions
Co Cork’s Bandon Co-Op began to develop its onion business in the mid nineties, when a study reported that Ireland imported 20,000 tonnes of onions per annum, and that there was potential to replace 10% of these imports with onions grown in West Cork. A subsidiary company, Bandon Valley Foods, was set up, and Musgrave SuperValu-Centra (MSVC) were approached.
Bandon Valley Foods invested in computer controlled and refrigerated long term storage facilities, and has now built up a €1.5 million (retail value) annual business, as the sole Irish supplier of onions to MSVC, which serves 180 SuperValu outlets in the Republic of Ireland.
Their onion contract ensures that independent retailers receive Irish onions first in season each year, over Dutch and UK product.
And the business does not end when Irish produce runs out. Then, Bandon Co-Op imports on behalf of SuperValu, ensuring their continuous supply from a single, quality monitored source.
Onions for Bandon Valley Foods come from eight specialised growers, mainly in Cork and Wexford. They each grow 70 to 100 acres, yielding 1,400 to 2,000 tonnes.
The Irish season for onions generally lasts from November until March, but Bandon Valley Foods are working with growers to extend the growing season, coming in earlier with product.
Ian Allen, fresh produce trading manager with SuperValu said, “Our consumers actively seek Irish grown produce, before imports, once the price and quality is reliable.”
