Exporters out in force at Moscow Food Fair
Bord Bia has a national stand at the four-day event, which ends today, supported by a strong presence from all of the major Irish meat exporters. The Irish Dairy Board is also participating on the stand while Bord Iascaigh Mhara has an All-Ireland seafood pavilion featuring fifteen companies.
Buyers from food processing companies, importers and distributors from all the larger cities and regions of Russia are attending the exhibition.
The value of Irish beef and pig meat exports to Russia last year was close to €145 million. Irish seafood exports to the same market were worth €6.4m.
Food Minister Noel Treacy, speaking at an Irish reception, said: “Russia is by far the largest export destination for Irish produce outside the EU and the World Food Fair Moscow is the most significant event to promote awareness of Irish food and to enhance existing and new customer relationships.”
Paddy Moore, Director of International Markets at Bord Bia, said that while volumes in meat are running below last year’s level, the outlook remains positive and Russian import deficit will remain solid as consumer demand is growing.
The recent Russian / EU agreement on veterinary certificates for animal products should also provide stability to the meat trade.
BIM market development executive Colette Crowne said it had recently commissioned a report that showed opportunities in the ten EU accession states which, in the main, are reliant on imports for their seafood consumption.
She said opportunities lie in establishing partnerships with existing seafood processors and food service operations in those markets. The Baltic States can also be used as a gateway to the Russian market.
