Switching to Irish food could boost economy by €1bn

SHOPPERS could add more than €1 billion to the economy by switching a quarter of their weekly grocery spend from imported to Irish food.

That’s according to the chairman of a major food festival who disclosed €4.6bn worth of food is imported each year – the equivalent of €1,000 for every Irish person.

A senior executive with 30 years’ experience with the international nutritional ingredients and cheese group, Glanbia, Ger Mullally said if Irish people were to transfer even a quarter of their spend on imported food to Irish produce, there would be a significant benefit to the economy at a time when it needs all the support it can get.