Supplier development programme to help food firms generate sales

Seventeen food companies have signed up for the third annual Bord Bia/Tesco supplier development programme, an assisted route into Irish and overseas outlets.

The 33 companies who have participated in the seven-month programmes since in 2012 have collectively recorded €16m worth of sales to Tesco stores. Over a quarter of this revenue was generated in the UK.

This year’s export participants are Chia Bia, Green Saffron, Connacht Gold, Rye River Brewing Co/ McGargles, and Yeats Country Foods. The national participants are Broderick’s, Blue Haven, Carlow Brewing Company (O’Hara’s), Paganini, Kinsale Gourmet, O’Hanlon Herbs, and Waldron Meats.

The local participants are Boutique Bake, Improper Butter, Matt’s Dream Pizza, Harvest Moon, and Johnnie Cupcakes.

Bord Bia CEO Aidan Cotter, said: “The Bord Bia and Tesco Retail Programme is a comprehensive and practical programme, including workshops and mentoring, as well as access to Tesco’s consumer insights, all designed to help Irish food and drink businesses grow to the next level, whether locally, nationally or internationally.”

More than 11,000 Irish farm families supply produce to Tesco and each year over €706m worth of exports are exported to Tesco worldwide.

Tesco chief executive, Phil J Clarke, said: “Tesco is proud to partner with Bord Bia to support the development of local Irish businesses. We are delighted that through this programme local companies will have the opportunity to use Tesco’s scale to grow their business and learn from Tesco’s in-depth retail experience.

He added: “Tesco is the largest purchaser of Irish food and drink in the world and one of the main export destinations for Irish food worldwide. Through this programme we are able to further extend our support for the Irish agri-food sector.”

As well as attending workshops, participants will receive bespoke mentoring and will have access to relevant consumer data and consumer insights.

Clear objectives and targets are set for each company to help them achieve key opportunities identified for their business with Tesco.

Agriculture Minister, Simon Coveney, said: “I would like to congratulate Tesco and Bord Bia on the success of this important initiative which has played a significant role in the growth and expansion of many indigenous food and drink businesses.

” I am delighted to see the level of product innovation in the programme. It is encouraging to see the retail industry actively working with the agri-food sector to ensure that more Irish products reach shelves both in the domestic and overseas markets.”