Irish food industry to double exports to the Middle East

The Irish food board, Bord Bia expects shipments to the Gulf region to reach about €500 million in annual sales by 2020, according to a report in the Irish Independent. In 2013, Ireland's exports amounts to €275 million, of which the Middle East accounts for 70%. Many Irish companies will be increasing their exports to region in the months to come, and to facilitate business, the Bord Bia will set up a full-time office in the region.

One if the companies entering the market is the Kerry Group, a food ingredients company, which is also scheduled to open a new office in Dubai. Meanwhile, the Irish Dairy Board will invest about €12m in a soft-cheese processing joint venture in Saudi Arabia. Following the lifting of the ban on Irish beef and sheep meat, several meat processors are ready to partake of the growing market in the region. They are targeting restaurants in the United Arab Emirates.

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