Small food producers aim for “bigger slice” of €10 billion export market
Insights into selling Irish food to airlines, retailers and hotels on the menu
Small Irish food producers should aim to take a “bigger slice” of the growing export market for Irish-made food and drink in 2015, which was worth an estimated €10 billion last year*. That’s according to the organisers behind The Dublin Food Chain event in October, which is the flagship food event during this year’s Fingal Enterprise Week (October 6th to 10th).
The aim of the October 7th event, under the theme of ‘Food on the Move’ is to enable small food producers and start-ups in the capital connect with buyers across retail, food service and wholesale nationally and internationally.
The Dublin Food Chain, which is supported by the Local Enterprise Offices, Bord Bia and the Irish Exporters Association, has invited food and beverage buyers from Ryanair, Bewley’s Coffee and Topaz to share insights and industry ‘top tips’ with food producers, looking to make a breakthrough into new markets.
New consumer research from Britvic, along with food manufacturer master classes from successful Irish brands based in Fingal, Keelings and Country Crest, are also on the menu at the Dublin Food Chain.
Oisin Geoghegan, Head of Enterprise at the Fingal Local Enterprise Office and the organiser behind Fingal Enterprise Week, said that more small Irish food producers and start-ups should aim to break into export markets next year.
He said: “Exports of Irish-made food and drink grew by 9% in 2013 and could reach €12 billion by 2020, according to Bord Bia. Irish food and drink brands are benefitting from this growth and there are substantial new market and sales opportunities for smaller food producers and new start-ups as well. At the Dublin Food Chain during Fingal Enterprise Week, we’re bringing smaller food producers and new start-ups face to face with buyers, which can help them unlock the export potential within their food brands. ”
Ten up and coming Irish food manufacturers are also being offer the opportunity to host tastings at the event, which is taking place at the Radisson Blu Hotel at Dublin Airport.
Fingal Enterprise Week is the largest enterprise week of its kind in the country, with 1,500 small business owners and start-ups taking part in over fourteen events. It’s supported by Vodafone, Bank of Ireland, Regus and Newstalk.
Bookings for the Dublin Food Chain event on Tuesday, October 7th can be made on-line through www.fingalenterpriseweek.ie and a nominal booking fee of €10 applies per person. The social media hashtag for all events during Fingal Enterprise Week is #few14.
ENDS
Notes to the Editor:
*Source of research: Bord Bia, Annual Results, 2013.http://www.bordbia.ie/corporate/press/pages/ExportPerformanceProspects2014.aspx
For all media queries, please contact Engage Ireland
Adrienne Ferguson or Sarah Bohan on Tel: 01 427 8388 / E-mail: office (at) engageireland.com
Archive Photography:
High resolution images, reproduction free, of previous Dublin Food Chain /Fingal Enterprise Week events are available by contacting Engage Ireland.
EVENT DETAILS
Dublin Food Chain event for Fingal Enterprise Week
Evening Seminar at Radisson Blu Hotel Dublin Airport Tuesday 7th October
FOOD ON THE MOVE
Time: 16.15 – 17.00
Big Brother/Little Brother (or Sister)
As internationally successful producers in the Fingal region, Country Crest and Keeling’s are offering their expertise on how to succeed within the food sector at this innovative breakout masterclass session. Both companies have been highly successful in the retail and foodservice sectors and are offering their expertise to any small and medium producers on advice and tips. A range of topics will be discussed including route to market, branding and succeeding in the food sector.
Time: 17.30 – 18.00
Registration and refreshments
Time: 18.00 – 18.30
Networking and Producer Showcase
The trade buyers and stakeholders from the retail and foodservice sector can network with each other and taste food from some of Dublin’s newest producers.
Time: 18.30 – 20.00
Seminar
Hear from The Dublin Food Chain’s expert panel of speakers and participate in some challenging discussions on “food on the move”.
Derek Murphy, Topaz
Product innovation for dashboard dining
Derek will present an overview on how the forecourt and convenience sectors performed in food through recession and how customers have changed how they interact with the sector. The presentation focuses on the type of consumer Topaz forecourts cater for today and what type of product they are looking for. It also looks to the future and what new customer types are emerging which the forecourt sector need to cater to.
Aoife Green and Eddie Wilson, Ryanair
How to feed 86 million people
Ryanair is the largest Airline in Europe carrying 86 million passengers this year! Hear how they cater for their needs. Aoife Greene and Eddie Wilson from Ryanair will overview the Ryanair food offer and the patterns they are experiencing with consumers while travelling.
Sharon Yourell Lawlor, Britvic
Understanding the Irish consumer “on the go”
Sharon Yourell Lawlor will provide key insights into Irish consumer lifestyles “on the go” and the part that food and beverages have to play. This will be the first time that this recently conducted research will be shared in public.
Jason Doyle, Bewley’s
Coffee consumption within the food channel
Coffee consumption continues to grow with Irish consumers becoming more and more sophisticated in their tastes. Foodservice operators have never been as challenged to provide high quality coffee experiences to their customers! Jason will give an overview around the trends and patterns they are experiencing.
Time: 20.00 – 20.30
Networking and Producer Showcase
Event ends.
Left to Right: Oisin Geoghegan, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Fingal with Raman Patel of Patel's Indian Food Co.