Irish Gourmet Chocolate Company Gets Back on Track with Sweet Success on the Horizon

Danucci, the award winning Irish gourmet chocolate brand will be re-launched this summer following its acquisition by Australian private investment company, Helsinki Capital Corporation Pty Ltd. The new operating entity, Ferdia Fine Foods, will be based in Ardee, Co. Louth and will benefit from significant investment in a new state of the art production facility, a significant research and development programme, two new brands and a completely revamped product range.

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith TD met this week in Budapest with Mr Sándor Fazekas, the Hungarian Minister for Rural Development.

A family-run food business based in Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare has scooped three highly sought-after prizes at this year’s prestigious Great Taste Awards (July 21st 2010).

Press Release
28th July 2010

Latest win brings Cooley’s total Gold Medal haul to over 100

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Brendan Smith TD and Minister of State with responsibility for Fisheries, Sean Connick TD, today launched Bord Iascaigh Mhara’s (BIM’s) new three year strategy (2010 – 2012) and the Irish Seafood National Programme to 2013. The event, which was hosted by BIM at the decentralized Department and BIM offices in Clonakilty, was attended by a large audience from the wider seafood sector.

Friday 23 July @ 0945: EURUSD – 1.2953: EURGBP – 0.8420 (Fri 16 July: EURUSD – 1.2940: EURGBP – 0.8435)

The Euro was centre of attention again this week, with bank stress test results being released this evening at 5 and news about Ireland and Hungary earlier in the week setting a nervous tone for the week.

The Costs of Doing Business in Ireland 2010 analyses our relative cost competitiveness performance across four key business inputs

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith TD, today welcomed the re opening of the Moroccan market to Irish beef and live cattle. This market has been closed to Ireland for almost a decade and a half and its reopening follows a successful visit here by a delegation of senior Moroccan veterinarians last March.

"Irish Export Industry Competitive Position Improving but it is a Slow and Long Term Process" state Irish Exporters Association (IEA) at the release of the Review of the Competitive Position of the Export Industry, as carried out for the IEA by Davy Research

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith T.D., gave the speech below at the launch of Food Harvest 2020 on Monday 19th July 2010

Friday 16/07/10 @ 15.55: EURUSD - 1.2940: EURGBP - 0.8435 (Monday: EURUSD - 1.2571: EURGBP - 0.8370)

The Dollar is selling off across the board with the sell off against the Euro capped at 1.3005. The US economy has again been talked down by the Fed, paring expectations for interest rate rises.

Ummera Smoked Products to use triple gold medal win to launch export drive in UK

‘Dee’s Eat Well, Be Happy’ Healthy Irish-made Wholefood Burgers (As seen on Dragons’ Den): Now Available at SuperValu & Centra

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith TD today announced details of innovation funding for small Irish companies in the food industry. Innovation Vouchers worth €5,000 each are available to all small companies in the food sector over the next 6 weeks. The deadline for applications is 20th August 2010.

Monday 12/07/10: 1640: EURUSD – 1.2571: EURGBP – 0.8370 (Last week: EURUSD – 1.2550: EURGBP – 0.8260)

The Euro gained more confidence last week after Jean Claude Trichet talked up Eurozone growth prospects and Germany continues to fire ahead. It doesn’t get better than this for the Euro.

Good news from the UK. J&L Grubb Ltd. Ireland's original farmhouse blue cheesemakers since 1984, have just launched their Cashel Blue pre-pack in 305 UK branches of J. Sainsbury as part of an overall cheese category range review.

For Immediate Release 06.07.2010

County Cork is to benefit from twelve new food business ‘incubation units’, in a move that will significantly help to promote Ireland’s valuable indigenous food sector.

Michael O'Neill of Irish Atlantic Sea Salt is now ready to launch

Deirdre Collins of Dee's Eat Well, Be Happy has got listed in Musgraves

Congratulations to Helen Finnegan of Knockdrinna Farmhouse Cheese, a Channel Clusters Programme participant, who celebrated the first anniversary of her farm shop and restaurant in Stoneyford, Co. Kilkenny on the 4th of July 2010.

Well done to Channel Clusters Programme participant, Goatsbridge Premium Irish Trout, for a 2-page feature in the current edition of Food & Wine Magazine (July/ August 2010).

Friday 02/07/10: 1730: EURUSD – 1.2550: EURGBP – 0.8260 (Last week: EURUSD – 1.2290: EURGBP – 0.8244)

There is a lot to feast on this week, namely Jobs, Manufacturing and Housing. Overall, it shaped up with Euro strengthening against virtually everything as it ticked higher against the US Dollar. The Swiss Franc and the Yen were the safe havens as the Dollar sold off.

Janet Drew of Janet's Country Fayre was featured on Pat Kenny's radio show last Friday 2nd July. On the show, there was a section on tasty, savoury ingredients and chutneys were featured. Today with Pat Kenny's featured chef, Rozanne Stevens, met Janet recently and spoke about her excellent range.

According to the CSO's Quarterly National Household Survey, the number of people employed in the Food and Drink manufacturing sector has fallen to 43,900 in Quarter 1 2010. This is a decline of 3,500 versus the previous quarter, but please note the figures are not seasonally adjusted.

A Dutch company called Aqua Flo and who import fresh flowers to Ireland twice a week, have expressed interest in working with food and drink companies to deliver product to Holland.

Irish consumers pay 29% more than the European Union average for food and non-alcoholic drinks, according to a new Eurostat survey.

EUR / GBP - 0.8244 (Last week: 0.8355)
EUR / USD - 1.2290 (Last week:  1.2373)

La Rousse Foods will open a chocolate outlet, called Cocoa Atelier, at 30 Drury Street in Dublin 2 on Monday 28th June.

Kilbeggan Distillery releases first new whiskey in over 53 Years.

Companies on the Channel Clusters programme were invited to meet the team at Teagasc Ashtown on 9th June in the Ashtown Food Research Centre.

Weekly Currency Markets Up-Date
Friday 18/06/10: 1150.
EUR / USD – 1.2373 (Last week: – 1.2070)
EUR / GBP – 0.8355 (Last week: – 0.8308)

Eddie Heffernan, the Purchasing Manager with Pallas Foods and his colleague, Marian Cahill, met the companies in the fourth cluster in Pallas Foods head office in Newcastle West on Thursday 17th June.

Ciaran Finegan, the chilled buyer with BWG met the 5 companies in the BWG cluster on Tuesday 8th June in Citywest Hotel, in Saggart, Co Dublin. The attendees included Rosita Moyles and John Dowling of JM Food Sesrvices; Edward Spelman of Dunhill Cuisine, Michael Kyle of Kyle's Kitchen and Jane McEvoy of McEvoy Family Foods. Katherine Carroll of Stable Diet attended for the one to one session of the meeting.

Weekly Currency Markets Up-date
Friday 04/06/10: 1400:
EUR / USD – 1.2070 (Last week: 1.2038)
EUR / GBP – 0.8308  (Last week: 0.8270)

The Euro is up slightly week on week for the first time in weeks.

With regard to the recent Food and Drink Summit organized by Bord Bia in Farmleigh on May 6th, could you please revert to us by Wednesday 9th June, with your feedback from the event and your recommendations on how the Irish food and drink sector can overcome the issues facing the industry, as outlined on the day.

We are interested in suggestions and recommendations from both those that attended and those that didn't attend the event.

For those that didn't attend, please find a summary of the main discussion points attached.

To follow up on Farmleigh, a small delegation from the IEA Food and Drink Council, will be meeting Aidan Cotter and Tara McCarthy of Bord Bia shortly to present the ideas and recommendations that have been put forward.

The Pallas Foods Meet the Buyer Day has been confirmed for Thursday June 17th in Newcastle West at 9.30am.  The Purchasing Manager, Eddie Heffernan, will give an overview to the cluster on Pallas Foods and will meet each of the companies for half an hour at this meeting. The meeting will run from 9.30am to 1.00pm.

Weekly Currency Markets Up-date

EUR / USD – 1.23
EUR / GBP – 0.8489

Notice of 2010 Annual General Meeting

In accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Irish Exporters Association, we hereby give notice that:

The AGM of Irish Exporters Association will take place on Wednesday 16th June 2010 in The Four Seasons Hotel, Ballsbridge, Dublin, at 11:00 am

Please note that the next Cork Food Forum will take place on the 30th June 2010, from 6pm to 8pm, in Actons Hotel in Kinsale, Co.Cork.

Please see details below from the organisers:

The IEA Food and Drink Council meeting on Wednesday May 12th in Teagasc Ashtown was a great success with four speakers presenting to the Council on a variety of themes, from the new industry initiative, Love Irish Food, to branding, to finance, to in store field sales support.

The BWG Meet the Buyer Day for the Channel Clusters Programme has been confirmed for Tuesday June 8th in Citywest Hotel. The five companies participating in the cluster will be attending and this meeting wil provide a great opportunity for them to meet the relevant BWG buyer and get a thorough understanding of how BWG operates. It has been confirmed that one to one meetings will take place with the buyer during the day.

More details to follow.

The five participants in the PRM Channel Cluster have been confirmed. They are Clinton Foods, Coolattin Cheddar, Natasha's Living Food, Kush Seafarms and Safa Food.  The Meet the Buyer day with David Connolly and his colleagues will take place shortly.

The Channel Clusters Programme is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

More details to follow.

The 5 companies that will participate in the Pallas Foods Channel Cluster have been confirmed.  They are Dragon Nutrition (J Donaghue Beverages), Glen Aine Foods, Knockdrinna Farmhouse Cheese, Goatsbridge Trout Farm and Homestyle Meats. The Meet the Buyer Day with Pallas Foods Purchasing Manager, Eddie Heffernan, and his team will take place shortly.

More details to follow.

€10,000 Brand Bursary Winner

The Vard Partnership’s Brand Bursary was awarded, on Saturday 21st May, live on Radio 1’s The Business. After a couple of tense weeks, a smile was brought to the face of Deirdre Hilliard when she walked away with €10,000 in brand and packaging design for her brand ‘Just Food’. The Brand Bursary will offer Deirdre a unique opportunity to build a strong recognisable brand that can open new doors and significant growth potential in Ireland and export markets.

Weekly Currency Markets Up-date - 21/05/10 - Fri 10am

EURUSD – 1.2484: EURGBP – 0.8678

Europe:
* Euro story again this week as extreme volatility continues
* German Parliament expected to vote on the Europe bailout package

Weekly Currency Markets Update - 14/05/10 (Fri Noon)

EURUSD – 1.2464: EURGBP – 0.8575

So the EU finally pieced a bailout together by committing to put up €750bn for bailouts and the ECB stated they will step in to buy government bonds, as we suggested last week.

Weekly Currency Markets Update 7/05/10

The volatility in currency markets, particularly yesterday, is huge. The Japanese Yen has proved the ultimate safe haven, gaining 7.5% against the Euro and 6% against the Pound over the past 5 days. That is huge for normally docile currency markets.

By Joe Dermody (Irish Examiner) Wednesday, May 05, 2010

FOOD exports fell 5% in the first three months of 2010, putting thousands of jobs at risk, the Irish Exporters Association (IEA) predicts.

The second Group Day of the Channel Clusters Programme will take place on Wednesday June 9th in Teagasc Ashtown, Dublin 15. It has been re-scheduled from May 27th due to a clashing event.

An IEA Food and Drink delegation met the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mr. Brendan Smith TD, on Tuesday 27th April, to discuss the key issues affecting indigenous food and drink exporters.

All five companies have now been recruited for the BWG Cluster, which will start very shortly.

The next Food and Drink Council meeting will take place on Wednesday 12th of May

An IEA delegation will meet the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mr. Brendan Smith TD, on Tuesday April 27th.

It has been almost 3 weeks since our last report due to the Easter Break. However, themes remain the same..Greece...UK election...Mild Economic growth.

The Vard Partnership, Dublin based Brand Design Consultants has come up with a novel way to help stimulate growth for an Irish brand.

The Oireachtas committee which investigated supplier/retailer dynamics has spoken of its ‘frustration’ with the retail sector’s failure to properly engage with its work, however

Food and Drink Export Ireland are now live on Facebook.  On our profile, you will find news updates,

As expected last week, the Euro had a dramatic week and still remains centre focus of the currency markets. As mentioned in last weeks report,

Tuesday 23rd March 2010

Over the last week, the Irish Exporters Association brought a group of Irish companies to exhibit at the Food and Drink Expo at the NEC in Birmingham, as part of the Channel Clusters Programme.

As St Patrick’s Day approaches and the spotlight focuses on all things Irish, Bord Bia is preparing to bring Irish food and drink to an international audience

Congratulations to Deirdre Collins of Dee’s Veg-e-Que who secured an investment on Dragon’s Den, which was shown last Thursday night on RTE television. After her flawless presentation, and successfully fielding all their questions, Deirdre was spoiled for choice as 4 of the Dragons vied with each other to claim a stake in her business.

Deirdre Collins of Dee’s Veg-e-que will appear on tonight’s edition of Dragon’s Den. Deirdre makes delicious wholefood burgers from her production unit in Ballincollig, Cork. She has 2 skus and both are free of meat, wheat, dairy, eggs, soy, salt and sugar.

Yesterday, the first Food and Drink Council Meeting of 2010 took place in Teagasc, Ashtown. The event was an overwhelming success.  There were five new attendees at the meeting including Con Healy of Healys Honey in Ballincollig, County Cork ; Gareth Coleman of Glenstal Foods in Limerick; Celine Hayes English of Couverture in Dublin 12; Helen Gee of G's Gourmet Jams in Abbeyleix, County Laois and Tony Bateman of Petmaster in Dublin 12.  In addition, Brian Poland of Olhausens attended for the first time.

The first Channel Clusters Finance seminar took place on Wednesday 17th February in the Maldron Hotel in Athlone.  This was the first joint meeting involving the 10 companies in the 2 clusters on the programme and the participants will meet again when they jointly exhibit on the IEA stand at the Food and Drink Expo in the NEC in Birmingham on March 21st to 24th 2010.

According to a survey of the world's leading 500 brands, published by Brand Finance, Kerry Foods was the top Irish brand.

Dawn Farm Foods has won a seven-year contact to supply the meat requirements for the Subway sandwich chain in Europe. The contract is reportedly worth €700m.

The CSO recently published the Consumer Price Index for January 2010. The results have found that prices on average have decreased by nearly 4%. One of the most notable drops has been in utilities and local charges (electricity, gas, landline telecommunications, waste collection & disposal charges), which has dropped by approximately 8%. Services and Goods fell by 4.4% and 3.4% respectively.

The next IEA Food and Drink Council meeting is to take place  on Thursday February 25th. The venue for the meeting is the Teagasc Food Research Centre in Ashtown, Dublin 15.

Enterprise Ireland, The Irish Times and Supervalu will later today launch the Irish Food Producers’ Awards. According to the Irish Times, this scheme has been designed to recognise excellence, innovation and quality within the

The Irish Exporters Association’s Channel Clusters programme for 2009/10 includes one cluster dedicated to foodservice. In La Rousse Foods, we have found the perfect channel partner, given their openness to engage

The euro has dropped down to a nine month low against the dollar as speculation that Europe’s recovery is slowing down. The decline in euro saw it reach levels as of that of May last year. It has dropped for a number of

Food exporters continue to suffer from exchange rate losses, despite the signs of growth in international markets, states the IEA Food & Drink Council.