The third annual Bord Bia/Tesco Supplier Development Programme will be joined today by 17 Irish food and drink companies with the intent to grow and maintain links between supplier and the multi-national Tesco chain. Since launching in 2012, 33 companies have completed the programme and generated sales worth €16 million to Tesco stores.
Speaking at the launch of the 2014 programme, Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine said, "The initiative has played a significant role in the growth and expansion of many indigenous good and drinks businesses.""It is encouraging to see […] more Irish products reach shelves both in the domestic and overseas markets.”
The Bord Bia/Tesco programme includes access to Tesco consumer insights alongside workshops and mentoring, and aims to help businesses expand into the international marketplace. Over a quarter of the revenue generated through the programme came from exports to the UK, and a further €706 million worth of Irish food products are exported to Tesco worldwide. Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive, said, “Today’s event confirms the growing role Irish food and drink producers in the overall positioning of one of the world’s leading retailers.”
CEO of Tesco, Phil J. Clark said, “We are delighted that local companies will have the opportunity to scale and grow their business. Through this programme we are able to further extend our support for the Irish agri-food sector." © 2014 - Checkout Magazine by Charlie Burns.
