Wednesday, 7th December 2011 (Source: Truly Irish Country Foods Press Release)

Truly Irish Country Foods were announced on Radio 1 as the winners of Vard Partnerships Brand Bursary Award worth 10K of brand packaging. 70 deserving companies had entered the competition but it was Truly Irish, a farmer co-op, who shone through.

Wednesday, 7th December 2011 (Source: IEA)

Irish Exporters Association Review of Budget 2012 Announced by the Minister for Finance Michael Noonan T.D. December 6th 2011

''Good Morning Colleagues,

You may have seen my commentary on RTE 6 and 9 o’clock News last night, when I stated this was one of the most export oriented Budgets in over a decade. The IEA have been lobbying the new Government since it was elected at the beginning of 2011 for a number of measures to increase export sales and job growth. Principles amongst the proposals put to Government were:

Monday, 5th December 2011 (Source:  Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Press Office)

Announcing his expenditure estimates for 2012 today the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD said that despite the on-going serious difficulties in the public finances, today’s expenditure announcement was a strong statement of support for the agri-food sector and a recognition of the contribution which the sector can make to economic recovery and future growth in the Irish economy.

Wednesday, 23rd November 2011 (Source: Irish Exporters Association Press Release)

• Business cost base rising - Three out of four reporting increases over the past 12months.
• Access to finance- Four out of five reporting no improvement since last year.
• Bad debts have risen –with 52% of exporters affected.
• Export Credit insurance still a problem- 87% of exporters believe there should be a government supported export credit insurance scheme.
• High degrees of dissatisfaction with Government agencies grant application process.
• Over 75% say that government red tape as having adverse impact on their business.
• Nine out of ten exporters believe that there would be no benefit to the Irish economy from leaving the Eurozone.

Wednesday, 23rd November 2011 (Source: Bord Bia Press Release)

As Irish food and drink exports approach a record €9 billion in 2011, the key contribution of Jameson Irish whiskey was recognised when it won the Bord Bia Food and Drink Export Award at a ceremony in Trinity College Dublin tonight (Tuesday 22nd). In 2010 the iconic brand passed a key milestone selling 3 million cases of whiskey globally and is set to reach 4 million cases by 2012. Meanwhile, Irish Distillers and Pernod Ricard are investing over €100 million in Ireland over the coming 3 years to sustain its rapid expansion.

Monday, 21st November 2011 (Source: IEA) 

The next in the Exporting Review series will be published by Whitespace and distributed with The Irish Independent on December 8th 2011. Reaching over 550,000 readers in print and published online on businessandleadership.com and on our own website, the series aims to raise the profile of export led businesses all over Ireland.

Thursday, 17th November 2011 (Source:  Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Press Office)

Shane McEntee TD, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine today addressed the Product Shelf life and Microbiological Criteria seminar in Dublin. The Minister pointed out that the agri-food sector is the largest indigenous industry in Ireland and is playing a key role in the recovery of the Irish economy.

Monday, 14th November 2011 (Source IEA)

ABC Nutrition, Shannon, Co. Clare, won the Irish Exporters Association’s overall Exporter of the Year Award 2011 at a dinner at the Convention Centre in Dublin last Friday.

Friday, 4th November 2011  Source: (IEA Press Release)

Sovereign debt issues across the Eurozone during the third quarter of this year have led to further business uncertainty and weakened consumer confidence globally. Irish exporters have been hard it in this global trade downturn and the Irish Exporters Association (IEA) has issued its Third Quarter Review of exports today (4.11.2011) in which it shows that total export sales growth grew by only 1.7% in the third quarter when compared to the same period last year.

Tuesday, 1st November 2011 (Source: Bullseye Food Marketing on behalf of Dee's Wholefoods)

Lucrative New Sales Agreement Leads to Jobs Growth and Ambitious 2012 Expansion Plan: One of Ireland’s most innovative food SMEs is set to launch its new range of wholesome ‘Real Meals’ at SuperValu and Centra outlets throughout the country.

Friday, 28th October 2011 (Source: Truly Irish Country Foods Press Release)

It may not be the world cup, but Ireland have beaten the French in the European Championships (Fins Goustiers du Duché d'Alençon) this year. Entering for the first time, Truly Irish came home with awards for all three categories; White Pudding, Pork Sausage and Personalised Sausage. Grand Award of Excellence (Diploma/Cup) for Truly Irish Traditional White Pudding Grand Award of Honour (Diploma/Cup) for Truly Irish Hot Chilli Sausage Grand Award of Honour (Diploma/Cup) for Truly Irish Jumbo Sausage.

Wednesday, 28th September 2011 (Source: The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Press Office)

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, today extended his warmest congratulations to Helen Finnegan of Knockdrinna Farm House Cheese on winning the “Supreme Champion” award at the British Cheese Awards for its Kilree Goats cheese.

Monday, 26th September 2011 (Source: The Department of Agriculture,Food and the Marine Press Office)

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, will travel to Algiers this weekend to meet his counterpart, Mr. Rachid Benaissa, the Algerian Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development and to promote sales of Irish dairy and meat products.

Tuesday, 20th September 2011.  (Source: Bord Bia Press Office)

Food and drink exports in 2011 are expected to reach a new all time high of €8.9 billion, an increase of more than 12%, or almost €1 billion, on 2010 levels. This follows growth of €700 million in 2010 leaving Ireland’s food exports in 2011 some 25% ahead of 2009 levels.

Meanwhile, against a backdrop of strong global demand and high prices, eight out of ten exporters surveyed by Bord Bia rate their prospects as improved or very improved compared with this time last year. The forecast and survey findings were issued today by Bord Bia on the opening day of the 80th National Ploughing Championships taking place in Athy, Co. Kildare.

The Brand Bursary is back once again for 2011 and will give Irish Food and Drink companies the opportunity to win €10,000 in packaging design.

With the increasing importance of the food and drink sector to the economy, and exports in particular, the panel are particularly interested in hearing from companies with their sights set on overseas markets.

As last year, the Brand Bursary is open to Irish brands both large and small and entries are now being accepted.

Last year’s winner, Deirdre Hilliard of Just Food has had a great year since relaunch. Working with The Vard Partnership, the Brand Bursary refocused Just Food with great results. Sales will double in 2011 with national listings and distribution in over 700 stores, along with exciting export opportunities.

The search is now on for our next winner.

For more information on the Brand Bursary, please click here. The closing date for entries is 7th October 2011.

Wednesday, 7th September 2011

The Irish Exporters Association is carrying out its annual Export Ireland Survey 2011, to research the performance, and measure the opinions and expectations of companies in Ireland in relation to export activities.

You can complete the survey online at: http://www.irishexporters.ie/section/exportirelandsurvey2011

The survey will take approximately 20 minutes of your time to complete and is the principal method of collecting the information. The closing date to submit your input will be Friday September 30th 2011.

The first Channel Clusters Dissemination seminar took place on the morning of Friday, 23rd September 2011. The venue was Teagasc Ashtown in Dublin 15. The meeting commenced at 9.15am and finished at 1pm with a light lunch served afterwards. 

This IRBA Breakfast Briefing, sponsored by Investec, on the subject of 'Agri-food Exports to Russia' took place on the morning of Wednesday, 21st September 2011 at Investec's head office in The Harcourt Building, Harcourt Street, Dublin 2.  Speakers included James O'Donnell of Bord Bia; Pat Ward of the Irish Dairy Board and Joe Keeling of Keelings. 

Friday, 12th August 2011 (Source: FoodCentral Press Release)

FoodCentral provides a catalyst for consolidation, collaboration and co-opetition to enhance competitive advantage for domestic and export markets.

A master plan for the development of FoodCentral, a 113 hectare food park located beside Dublin Airport has been prepared in consultation with Fingal County Council, following on from the zoning of the site as approved for food park development in the Fingal Co Council, County Development Plan 2011 – 2017. To read more click here.

To view brochure, please click here.

Wednesday, 10th August 2011 (Source: IEA)

The IEA has been requested by the Minister for Transport to make a submission regarding what the export industry would like to see in the Dept of Transport proposed Strategy 2011 –2014. To view full document of the IEA Submission, please click here to link to IEA website.

Wednesday, 27th July 2011

Multinational Companies Account for Bulk of Irish Exports - Irish-owned Companies Showing Well in Agri-food Sector

The Irish Exporters Association today (27th July) launched its annual report of the Top 250 Exporting Companies in Ireland, supported by Investec, one of Ireland’s leading specialist banking and asset managers. The report for 2011 graphically illustrates the significant role foreign direct investment (FDI) is playing in the Irish economy and shows that multinational companies which have invested heavily in Ireland to service the EU27 and other international markets now account for over 75% of total Irish exports.

Tuesday, 26th July 2011 (Source: The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Press Office)

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, today launched ‘Food Harvest 2020 Milestones for Growth’ his view of the journey and milestones which need to be reached to attain the eventual targets set out in the Food Harvest 2020 report. He emphasised his “wholehearted commitment to building on this good start and to making sure that the ambitious smart green growth vision in Food Harvest 2020 is realised”. 

The quarterly IEA Food and Drink Council meeting will take place in Teagasc Ashtown on Wednesday August 10th. Click here to see agenda. We will be returning to the theme of cost competitiveness and how Ireland is performing.  Dr Constantin Gurdgiev gave his views on this at the February meeting and it will be interesting to see if Grant Thornton share his views. We will also get an overview of Enterprise Ireland's Lean Business Offer which is very popular in the current climate with companies seeking a competitive advantage in every thing they do.   Finally, we will hear from Investec about how companies can manage risk in the currency markets.   

Thursday, 14th July 2011 (Source: IEA)

An Irish Exporters delegation met with Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar T.D. last week, to urge him to immediately address a number of transport issues affecting the cost and efficiency of exporting goods to overseas markets.

Please click here to access a copy of the memo sent to the Minister following the meeting on July 7th.

If you have any queries on the matters arising, please contact John Whelan, Chief Executive, Irish Exporters Association on tel: 01 661 2182 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Irish Exporters Association is delighted to invite you to the “ The Irish Exporters Association -Top 250 Exporters Publication” launch event.

Today (27th June 2011), the IEA announced that the successful development of a Craft Butcher export cluster , as part of it’s Channel Clusters programme with the global distribution partner, Scobie and Junor.

The successful food businesses in the cluster are ; Lawlors Butchers Ltd, Martin Carey Meats Ltd, Orielglen Trading Ltd, Hugh Maguire Ltd and Tuite’s Butchers Ltd. All are members of the Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland (ACBI), which, in total, comprises over 500 members in Ireland.

Thursday, 16th June 2011 (Source: Dept. Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, today emphasised the “need for the development of a strong, recognisable, national brand for Irish food and food products.” Minister Coveney was opening the inaugural National Food and Agribusiness Summit at Croke Park, where he addressed the conference on a range of issues. The Minister presented a positive assessment of the prospects for the Irish food and agribusiness sector and referred to “Ireland’s competitive advantage, based on the country’s pre-existing global image of a ‘green’ island, as well as a sustainable, grass-based, year-round production system with its associated low-carbon footprint.”

To read the full press release click here.

Tuesday, 14th June 2011 (Source: IEA)

On Thursday 9th June the Irish Exporters Association offered members a free 60 minute one-to-one market entry clinic with our new strategic partner, Gateway Baltic.

Friday, 10th June 2011(Source:IEA)

Today (10th June) the IEA announced that the latest cluster of five SME food companies on the Channel Clusters Development Programme, have achieved strong sales growth and listings with Ireland’s leading foodservice supplier, Pallas Foods.

To read the full press release click here

Monday, 6th June 2011(Source: Bord Bia)

Bloom, Bord Bia’s gardening, food and family festival finishes today and the fifth year of the event has been its most successful yet. Bloom attracted almost 90,000 visitors to the 70 acre site at the visitors centre in the Phoenix Park Dublin over the June Bank holiday weekend.

For the full press release click here

Friday, 3rd June 2011. (Source:Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine )

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, today (Friday 3rd June 2011) announced the creation of 158 new jobs in the Seafood Processing Sector. The Processing Scheme provides state investment aimed at generating efficiencies in the processing sector. 18 companies have been approved for grant aid of €1.7 million representing a total investment of €7.4 million in the sector. The jobs will be created over a three year period.

To read the full Press Release click here

Tuesday, 31st May 2011 (Source:IEA)

 Today (31st May 2011), the IEA announced that the latest five food entrepreneurs, who recently completed an Irish Exporters Association (IEA) specialist food business training programme, have secured valuable new sales listings with the PRM Group – one of Ireland’s largest retail distributors. The successful food businesses were: Natasha’s Living Food, Coolattin Cheddar, Clinton Foods, Safa Food and Kush Shellfish.

To read the full press release click here

Saturday, 28th May 2001 (Source: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Chinese Market Offers Great Opportunities for Irish Agri-Food and Seafood Exports

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, today described the visit to Ireland by the Chinese Vice-Minister as “very successful” and confirmed that, as a result of the visit, the two Ministers were today signing “an action plan on mutual co-operation between the two countries in the agri-food and fisheries sectors.”

To read the full Press Release click here.

Friday, 27th May 2011 (Source: Enterprise Ireland)

 Enterprise Ireland is working with SuperValu to help entrepreneurial local companies take the first step to retail success. The programme has delivered €16m in sales for participants to date Friday, 27th May 2011 – Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD, today launched the 2011 Enterprise Ireland SuperValu Supplier Development Programme. The programme will see ten young Irish food start-up companies receive customized training and one-on-one mentoring support.

To read the full Press Release click here.

Friday, 27th May 2011 (Source: Bord Bia)

Bord Bia’s Pathways for Growth Food & Drink Summit Friday May 27th 2011 The strong growth in Irish food and drink exports, which saw values increase by 11% in 2010, is continuing in 2011 with exports for the January to May period estimated to have increased by €400 million, or 13%, to total €3.44 billion. The new figures were released today at Bord Bia’s “Pathways for Growth Food & Drink Summit”, which took place at the UCD Smurfit School, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.

To read the full Press Release click here.

Terry O'Driscoll, Tax Partner with PwC, gave the May Council meeting a macroeconomic overview of the Tax landscape for Irish exporters. He started his presentation by covering the area of corporate tax. He stated that Ireland moved to a single Corporate tax rate for trading profits in the early 2000s, which is very attractive and gives Irish companies a lot of advantages.

Thursday, 26th May 2011 (Source: Enterprise Ireland) 

Enterprise Ireland is calling on companies that are successfully trading in Ireland to apply for funding to explore the potential to export their services and internationalise their business. The competitive €1m 'Going Global Fund ' is specifically designed to support domestically-focused companies to explore and validate market opportunity in a new market or to introduce a new service or product to an existing market.

To read the full Press Release click here.

Thursday, 26th May 2011 (Source: IEA) 

The Irish Exporters Association report a stronger that anticipated growth in exports in the first quarter of 2011, but warn of the risky international trading climate.  Export growth of 9.4% was achieved in the first three months of the year, with a strong boost coming from exporters of merchandise goods who increased sales by 10.5%.

Wednesday, 25th May 2011 (Source: IEA)

Paul Murphy of Finalysis Ireland gave the May Council a presentation on this consultancy business which reviews companys' banking arrangements to find savings. Finalysis, he said, was set up 20 years ago and now has offices in London and South Africa and is staffed by former bankers, accountants and treasury specialists. It is geared to the Irish corporate market and their core market is companies with a minimum turnover of €20m. However they work with smaller companies too.   

Monday, 23rd May 2011 (Source IEA)

Today (23rd May) the IEA announced the latest group of five food companies on the Channel Clusters Development Programme to have all achieved valuable listings with a major distributor were ; Kyles Kitchen (Wrapsu) Ltd, JM Foods Ltd; Dunhill Cuisine Ltd; McEvoy Family Foods Ltd and Stable Diet Ltd.

For the full press release click here

Monday, 23rd May 2011 (Source: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine )

Speaking in Ballybay at Bank of Ireland Enterprise week event, the Minister of state at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Shane McEntee TD, stated that he was “encouraged by increasing recognition of the importance of agriculture and the agri-food sector”. He pointed out that the food sector is spread right throughout the country and as well as large multi national companies is comprised of hundreds of small and medium sized enterprises.

To Read the full Press Release click here

Friday, 20th May 2011 (Source: Next Step International) 

 "Ummera Smoked Products and Knockdrinna Farmhouse Cheese, participants on the Irish Exporters Association's Channel Clusters Programme were both honoured by having their products served to Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Ireland.

Friday, 20th May 2011 (Source: Bullseye Food Marketing)

An acclaimed family-run County Clare food business has proven that its premium smoked seafood is genuinely ‘fit for royalty’.

Award-winning artisan food producer, The Burren Smokehouse, is relishing the prestige of being selected to provide a platter of fine smoked Irish salmon delicacies, for the state dinner held to honour Queen Elizabeth II at Dublin Castle.

The banquet, which took place at the castle’s St Patrick’s Hall on Wednesday evening (18th May), was one of the key events in the itinerary of the Queen’s historic state visit to Ireland.

Exclusively hand-smoked by Birgitta Curtin at her traditional smokehouse near Lisdoonvarna, and prepared for Her Majesty and state guests by distinguished Michelin-star chef, Ross Lewis, the platter included both Burren Smoked Irish Salmon and Clare Island Organic Irish salmon.

Owner-manager of The Burren Smokehouse, Birgitta Curtin, says it was an enormous thrill to hear that her smoked fish had been chosen for inclusion in the menu for this momentous state occasion.

For the full press release click here.

 Thursday, 19th May 2011 (Source: IEA)

Noreen Lanigan of Bord Bia's Paris Office gave the IEA's Food and Drink Council an update on the European Logistics Optimization study at the quarterly meeting in Teagasc Ashtown on Wednesday May 11th.  The study's main focus, she said, is applying best practice to Logistics and looking at economies of scale for Irish exporters to make us more competitive in the European context. She believes that their research indicates that at least €400 million per annum is spent on logistics by Irish food exporters and this amounts to 7% of export value. She said that in a best case scenario, 30% could be taken out of the costs of logistics through a mix of improving use of best practice and coopetition. In the more modest scenario, the saving would be 10%. 

Monday, 16th May 2011 (Source: The Department for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Press Office)

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD will tomorrow attend a meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers in Brussels, at which Ministers will discuss a range of issues, including the conclusions of an EU Advisory Group on Pigmeat, the protection of animals during transport and the production of food to meet the world’s expanding population.

Friday, 13th May 2011 (Source: IEA)

Today (13th May), the IEA announced that the latest group of food producers on its Channel Clusters Programme win valuable new sales agreements with Horgan’s Deli Supplies.

To read the full Press Release click here.

Monday 9th May 2011 (Source IEA )

Participants on the Irish Exporters Association’s (IEA) Channel Clusters Development Programme are now on the road to success. The IEA have worked in partnership with La Rousse Foods to create a cluster to assist five Irish food processing companies to reach the necessary marketing standards to achieve product listing in the sector. To read the full Press Release, click here

Thursday, 5th May 2011 (Source: Dept. of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Minister optimistic and confident of growth in Agri-Food sector as he publishes the Annual Outlook for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 2010/2011

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD today said that 2010 was a very positive year for the Irish agri-food sector, following two very difficult years for all concerned. “Export figures show that the sector exported produce worth €7.8bn, an increase of about 11% on 2009. The cereals sector had a particularly good year with output value of over €200m, an increase of over 88% on the previous year, while the dairy sector increased its exports by 17%. Aggregate farm income also increased, by 31.5%. This is all good news for the agri-food sector but also for the Irish economy as a whole”.

To read the press release click here

Tuesday, 3rd May 2011 (Source: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Addressing Bord Bia Marketing Fellows yesterday at the UCD Michael Smurfit Business School, Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine said that the Fellowship Programme had been an outstanding success and the work of the Fellows was greatly appreciated by the food industry. At company level, graduates in the first Fellowship Programme had already generated almost €3m in actual sales. Read more….

Tuesday, 3rd May 2011 (Source: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Coveney Welcomes Seafoods Exports Boost on his Visit to the European Seafood Expo in Brussels.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney TD visited the 18 Irish seafood exporters exhibiting at the European Seafood Expo (ESE) in Brussels today. ESE is the world’s largest seafood fair, attracting buyers and sellers from over 140 countries, with over 1600 exhibitors in attendance….. read more

Tuesday 3rd May 2011 (Source: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD announced this week the award of the Farmers’ Market Good Practice Standard 2011-2012 to 30 farmers markets.

To read the press release click here..

Thursday 21st April 2011 (Source: RTE)

Channel Clusters Participant Appears on “Dragons’ Den on Tour” 

Deirdre Collins who created the Dee’s Eat Well, Be Happy range of wholefood burgers is set to feature in the upcoming ‘Dragons’ Den on Tour’ series. Deirdre was a successful participant on the IEA’s Export Food and Drink Channel Clusters programme mentored by Conor Hyde of Bullseye. Deirdre also attended the IFE exhibition in London Docklands in March of this year with other Channel Cluster companies brought over by the IEA. 

To view the press release please click here... 

Wednesday, 20th April 2011 (Source: Food Partners)

“ Food Partners is a family owned Irish Food Solutions business founded by Tom and Edward Brennan from West Cork. Food Partners specialises in the sourcing and supply of short shelf life quality chilled and ambient foods to the Irish market. As a result of our highly developed supply chain network and infrastructure along with our passion for ‘service excellence’ we can now offer Value Add service to indigenous Irish food producers seeking an assured pathway to export”

to read more please click here

Wednesday, 20th April 2011 (Source: The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Press Office)

Speaking at the Teagasc National Bioenergy Conference in Tullamore today, Shane McEntee TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for Food, Food Safety and Horticulture emphasised the important contribution that the agriculture and forestry sectors have to play in meeting future renewable energy targets in Ireland.

Wednesday, 20th April 2011 (Source: The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Press Office)

Industry Shares Minister’s “positive outlook for Ireland’s most important indigenous sector” - The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, has chaired his first meeting of the High Level Implementation Committee on Food Harvest 2020 and restated his personal commitment to “driving forward the implementation phase to ensure that the targets are fully achieved and the potential of the agri-food and fishing sector is fully realised.”

Tuesday, 19th May 2011 (Source: IEA)

"Mag Kirwan of Goatsbridge Premium Irish Trout featured on last Wednesday's Midweek on TV3.

To see the programme in full click here:

http://www.tv3.ie/shows.php?request=midweek&tv3_preview=&video=34705

Goatsbridge is one of the participants on the Irish Exporters Association's Channel Clusters Programme and is mentored by Ronan Gillespie of Next Step International."

Monday, 18th April 2011 (Source: IEA)

The foodservice operator, 3663, has shown interest and wants to hear more from 5 of the companies that exhibited at the IEA stand at IFE in London in March. 

Thursday, 14th April 2011 (Source: The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Press Office)

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, today said that “the Irish agri-food industry is well placed to meet the growing global demand for food, provided that it retains and improves its competitiveness.”

Wednesday, 13th April 2011 (Source: IEA Press Release)

John Whelan, CEO of the Irish Exporters Association, responding to the release of information from the IMF of the downward revision in Irish GDP growth for this year stated; ''Export businesses are also facing significant difficulties on international markets and are unlikely to contribute as strongly to Irish economic growth as originally forecast.

Tuesday, 5th April 2011 (Source: The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Press Office)

The Minister of State for Food, Horticulture and Food Safety, Shane McEntee TD, today highlighted the tremendous potential of the beef sector and called for a positive approach to its development.

Friday, 1st April 2011 (Source: IEA)

Watch out for Helen Finnegan and her team at Knockdrinna Farmhouse Cheese, who are featured on RTE 1’s Nationwide on Friday, 1st April 2011 at 7.00pm.

Wednesday, 30th March 2011 (Source: Cooley Distillery Press Release)

This week Cooley Distillery, Ireland’s only independent whiskey distillery, continued its phenomenal strike rate on the international circuit by claiming 12 gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

Friday, 25th March 2011 (Source: The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Press Office)

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, today spoke of his delight at being appointed Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, given his ‘strong background and in interest in agriculture’. The Minister welcomed the ‘new positivity around agriculture and food and the increasing realisation about the role the sector can play in driving economic recovery’.

Tuesday, 22nd March 2011 (Source: Bord Bia Press Office)

President of Ireland Mary McAleese today (Tues 22nd) launched a new Bord Bia initiative in Spain designed to boost the image and reputation of Irish food in the Spanish market.

Monday, March 21, 2011 (Source: Q4 Public Relations)

Kooky Dough, a Dublin firm that produces a range of cookie dough mixes for home baking and which last night featured on Dragon’s Den, has agreed a €550,000 deal to create two new Tesco own-brand lines for the supermarket’s stores in the UK and Ireland, it has been announced.

Wednesday, 16th March 2011 (Source: IEA)

Oakland International will be running the second in their series of conferences on the subject of Breaking into UK Retail and Wholesale, next Thursday 24th March in the Clarion Hotel in Cork.

Wednesday, 16th March 2011 (Source: The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Press Office)

Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine will attend his first meeting of EU Agriculture Ministers in Brussels tomorrow, St Patrick’s Day.

Wednesday, 16th March 2011 (Source IEA)

The Irish Exporters Association, the all island body representing export industry for the past 60 years, today announced the appointment of Philip Halpin, as Economic Advisor to the Association.

Tuesday, 15th March 2011 (Source: IEA)

Food and Drink Export Ireland, a division of the Irish Exporters Association (IEA), brought 10 Irish food producers to exhibit at IFE, in the ExCeL exhibition centre, in London, which is running from Sunday 13th until Wednesday 16th March 2011.

Monday, 14th March 2011 (Source: The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Press Office).

The Minister for Agriculture, Marine and Food, Simon Coveney TD has highlighted the importance of the marine sector and the contribution which it makes to the Irish economy.

Wednesday, 9th March 2011 (Source: IEA)

As the new Government formally takes up office today, the IEA wish to give you a brief summary of the important measures to support the Export Industry that the Government have committed to in the Programme for Government.

Wednesday, 9th March 2011 (Source: IEA)

The IEA's Channel Clusters Programme participants Helen Finnegan of Knockdrinna Farmhouse Cheese, Don Walshe of Dromoland Game and Janet Drew of Janet's Country Fayre have been prominently featured in national media articles in recent weeks.

Wednesday, 9th March 2011 (Source: IEA)

Noreen Lanigan from Bord Bia's Office in Paris is confirmed to speak at the IEA Quarterly Council meeting in Teagasc Ashtown, Dublin 15 on Wednesday May 11th.

Tuesday, 1st March 2011 (Source IEA)

The BWG cluster is part of the IEA's Channel Clusters Programme*.  The cluster has focussed on the development of new brands and packaging. As part of this process, product positioning has also been clearly defined for each brand.

Tuesday, 1st March 2011 (Source: The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Press Office).

Mr Brendan Smith, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries & Food, today outlined Ireland’s proposals for dealing with the complex issue of fish discarding at a joint meeting of European Fisheries Ministers and the European Parliament organised by Commissioner Maria Damanaki, the EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs. The meeting which was held in Brussels forms part of the ongoing consultation process for the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP).

Wednesday, 23rd February 2011 (Source: The department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Press Office)

“Another Key Step in Implementing Food Harvest 2020”

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith, today confirmed the implementation of another key recommendation of the Food Harvest 2020 Strategy – the establishment of the Agri-Research Expert Advisory (AREA) Group - which will be responsible for developing a Strategic Research Agenda for Agriculture Research.

Monday, 21st February 2011 (Source: The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Press Office)

Importance of the Irish beef industry “cannot be underestimated”

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith, has described the beef quotas sought by the Mercosur countries as “simply not acceptable.”

Friday, 18th February 2011 (Source: IEA)

The Meet the Buyer Day for the Craft Butchers Cluster took place on Wednesday 16th February in Citywest Hotel in Saggart, Co Dublin.

Wednesday, 16th February 2011 (Source: IEA) 

Seán Hanifin of First Ireland Spirits gave the IEA Council an overview of the Co Laois based drinks firm, First Ireland Spirits, and the challenges and opportunities facing their business.

Tuesday 15th February 2011 (Source: IEA)

The IEA will be taking 8 companies to the IFE exhibition in the ExCel in London from March 13th to 16th 2011.  These companies are participating on the IEA's Channel Clusters Programme*.

Friday, 11th February 2011 (Source: IEA)

The IEA launched “The Dublin Food Chain” today in AIB Bankcentre, Ballsbridge. The event was officially launched by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Gerry Breen, and was a tremendous success.

Tuesday, February 15th 2011 (Source: Press Release: Dee’s Wholefoods): 

Health-conscious consumers in the UK will be pleased to learn that an award-winning range of Irish wholefood burgers will soon be available in their local food halls and health food stores.

Tuesday, 15 February 2011

The carbon footprint of Irish food products have been rated as amongst the best in the EU according to a major study just published by the Joint Research Centre of the EU Commission.

Friday, 11th February 2011 (Source: IEA)

The Craft Butchers Meet The Buyer Day will take place next Wednesday morning, February 16th in Citywest Hotel in Saggart, Co Dublin. The cluster leader is Sheila Gallogly of Márla.ie. The Channel Partner is Scobies and Junior and they will act as a strategic partner as well as a distributor.

Tuesday, 8th February 2011 (Source: The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Press Office)

55 Actions to Achieve 50% Increase in Milk Production

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith, today announced the establishment of an action focussed group to implement the recommendations of the Food Harvest 2020 Report in relation to beef. This report targets an increase of 20% in the value of beef output by 2020.

Monday, 7th February 2011 (Source: The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Press Office)

The Minister for Agriculture and Food, Mr Brendan Smith, today announced the establishment of an action focussed group to implement the recommendations of the Food Harvest 2020 Report in relation to beef. This report targets an increase of 20% in the value of beef output by 2020.

Tuesday, 1st February 2011 (Source: The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Press Office)

Enterprise Ireland’s ‘Leadership 4 Growth’ Programme, which is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, was launched at the Irish Management Institute in Dublin today.

Monday, 31st January 2011 (Source: The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Press Office)

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith TD, welcomed the decision at the EU Cereals Management Committee meeting to approve a new scheme for Aid to Private Storage for the Pigmeat Sector. This scheme is being implemented in response to the Minister’s call at this week’s Agriculture Council meeting for assistance to the sector which has been badly hit by the increase in feed prices.

Wednesday, 26th Janaury 2011 (Source: Joe Dermody, The Irish Examiner)

Networking has helped lift small Irish food businesses to sales growth of 7%, while also developing overseas markets, according to a survey by Bord Bia.

Read more: The Irish Examiner

Wednesday, 26th January 2011 (Source: The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Press Office)

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith TD, today cautioned milk producers about the “very real possibility of a milk super levy being incurred at the end of the 2010/2011 milk quota year in March.”

Tuesday, 25th January 2011 (Source: IEA)

The well known economist, Dr Constantin Gurdgiev, is confirmed to speak at the next IEA Food and Drink Council meeting on Wednesday February 9th 2011.

Tuesday, 25th January 2011 (Source: IEA)

The IEA will be bringing 8 food companies to the IFE in London in March. These companies are all participants on the Channel Clusters Programme*.

Tuesday, 25th January 2011 (Source: Joe Dermody, The Irish Examiner)

Sales of Irish whiskey are expected to grow faster than any of its competitors in overseas spirits markets, according to projections by global vintners body International Wine & Spirit Record.

Read more: The Irish Examiner

Tuesday, 25th January 2011 (Source: Suzanne Lynch The Irish Times)

Greencore is to press ahead with its scheduled agm next Monday as speculation mounts as to whether the Irish food company will submit a revised offer to Northern Foods.

Read more: The Irish Times

Monday, January 24th 2011 (Source: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Press Office)

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith TD, today welcomed the decision of the EU Commission to take urgent action to address the current pigmeat market situation.

Monday, 24th January 2011 (Source: Graeme Wearden, The Guardian)

By temporarily halting exports, new leader Alassane Ouattara hopes to starve incumbent Laurent Gbagbo of the financial muscle to keep clinging to power.

Read more: The Guardian

Monday, 24th January 2011 (Source: Conor Keane, The Irish Examiner)

Management at Greencore will be under severe pressure to resuscitate the company’s bid to take over Northern Foods after a last-minute £342 million (€401.7m) bid eclipsed the Irish company’s offer at the weekend.

Read more: The Irish Examiner

Monday, 24th January 2011 (Source: The Irish Times)

French president Nicolas Sarkozy called in a speech laying out his G20 agenda today for new rules to curb commodity price volatility, warning that the world risks food riots and weaker growth if leaders fail to act.

Read more: The Irish Times

Monday, 24th January 2011 (Source: The Irish Times)

Shares in Greencore fell today in the wake of confirmation last week of a rival bid for Northern Foods.

Read more: The Irish Times

Friday, 21st January 2011 (Source: Dan O'Brien, The Irish Times)

The poorer the country the greater proportion of income spent on food. In Ireland, this rate of spending is just 15%.

Read more: The Irish Times