Premium food buyers from high-end supermarket chain Spinneys in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will visit Ireland over the next two months to 'source additional product' from Ireland, according to a statement issued by Bord Bia today (6 March.)
The leading retailer which has 55 outlets across the UAE is a substantial purchaser of Irish food. At the invitation of Bord Bia, during their visit the Spinneys buyers will meet with a number of Irish exporters. It will also discuss Bord Bia's Origin Green sustainability programme to discuss sustainable packaging practices.
The announcement was made during an official visit by Michael Creed TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and Tara McCarthy, Bord Bia Chief Executive, to the outlets in Dubai.
McCarthy said, "During the trade mission, Minister Creed and I briefed the companies on Bord Bia's Origin Green sustainability programme and the benefit to them of sourcing sustainable food. Bord Bia will also partner with Spinneys on an Origin Green Project to explore sustainable packaging practices which will begin in April and last for three months. We also hope to place a full time Origin Green Ambassador with Spinneys in 2018 to work with them on their sustainability plans and bring back suggestions on how we can maintain best practices".
The top-end store is already well known among Irish expats for stocking Irish branded goods such as Clonakilty Pudding, Golden Irish Eggs, Glenisk yoghurts and Keoghs Crisps to mention but a few.
In relation to the success of the 50 Irish food and drink brands which can be found on supermarket shelves in the UAE. Minister Creed said, “Quality, traceability and sustainability are a key part of the messaging for a sophisticated consumer population in this region. Origin Green is the only sustainability programme in the world that operates on a national scale. It brings farmers and food manufacturers together in a way never attempted anywhere else in the world before. It is evidence based and relies on sound science. It has independent certification and carbon foot-printing of our farmers and ambitious sustainability programmes for our companies and is making a real difference to the marketability of Irish produce in the Gulf States.”
In addition to this buyers from Fresh Express, a major UAE food and beverage distributor will visit Ireland later this month. The leading premium food and hospitality business in the Gulf Region, Fresh Express currently sells Irish seafood, and will look to build on its Irish supply base in seafood, dairy and confectionery during its visit.
Irish food and drink exports to the Gulf States are estimated to worth some €250 million, an increase of 26% in the past five years.
© 2017 - Checkout Magazine by Donna Ahern
