Bord Bia expo at Moscow food fair
The aim is to promote the awareness of Ireland's food sector among trade buyers with the specific objective of developing customer relationships and maintaining market share.
More than 40,000 people are expected to visit the event buyers, food processors, distributors and retailers.
Along with a strong representation from the Irish meat industry, the Bord Bia stand also includes exhibits by the Irish Dairy Board and the consumer food sector.
Total Irish food exports to Russia this year should be worth close to €175 million. It is this country's most important export market for beef and the main market outside the EU for pigmeat products. The combined value of these exports in 2003 is forecast to reach €140m.
The imposition of a new quota regime by the Russian government earlier this year has resulted in heavy competition from other countries.
But the outlook for trade to the market is positive, according to Bord Bia.
It said the continued growth in real incomes in Russia has stimulated increasing demand for all food products.
This is particularly among the emergent middle class and the expanding hotel and tourism industries.
