Lidl Ireland and their exclusive beef supplier, Liffey Meats, have secured exports to the value of €14 million, an increase of 20% on 2019 figures.
The deal will see 17 fresh and frozen of the Cavan-based beef supplier products exported over the next 12 months to Lidl stores in the USA and around Europe, the discounter said.
"With our commitment and support they can strengthen their supply chains, build their capacity and workforce to supply not only the island of Ireland, but more than 18 countries across Europe and the U.S. with quality Irish beef'," said JP Scally, managing director, Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland.
'Game Changer'
Over the next year, Liffey Meats will see a quarter of a million of its burgers on the shelves of 3,200 Lidl stores across Germany, along with two planned promotions for U.S. Lidl stores this summer.
"Our longstanding partnership with Lidl has allowed us to develop our business significantly over the past number of years, and this opportunity to leverage new international markets is a game changer for our business," said Ciaran Beirne of Liffey Meats.
USDA Seal Of Approval
In 2017 Lidl was the first Irish retailer to facilitate a deal with their U.S. counterparts that saw Irish beef labelled with the USDA seal of approval, which was secured after three years of engagement between Bord Bia and the USDA.
Tara McCarthy, CEO of Bord Bia noted: "This is an exceptionally challenging time for Irish suppliers and Irish farmers, so I am pleased to see Lidl’s tangible efforts to support the Irish beef industry and their continued commitment to sourcing Bord Bia Quality Assured Irish beef."
The USDA label guarantees U.S. consumers that the claims of Bord Bia Quality Assured Irish beef are validated by their own national authority, the group said.
© 2020 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. Click sign-up to subscribe to Checkout.
