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 are at €275 million, with the Middle East accounting for 70%. Many Irish companies will be increasing their exports to the region, and to facilitate business, the Bord Bia will set up a full-time office in the region. One of the companies entering the market is the Kerry Group, 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 the Kingdom of 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. (Photo of Dubliner Cracker Cut Cheese courtesy of Kerry Group)