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.