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Agrifood in the news this week
This week Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine published its annual review and outlook for 2015/16. Figures for 2015 show that the agrifood sector is Ireland’s largest indigenous industry, contributing €26 billion in turnover and generating 10.7% of all merchandise exports. In 2015, the sector accounted for around 8.4% of total employment. Food and beverage exports have performed strongly in recent years, reaching an estimated €10.8 billion in 2015 (according to Bord Bia) by continuing the annual increases seen since 2009. The value of Food and Beverage exports has risen by more than 50% since then.
Read the full report on the Department's website.
Food Academy participants to support 1500 jobs in Irish food and drink sector
281 small food and drink producers who are members of the Food Academy programme have successfully made the breakthrough into the retail market. That's according to a survey conducted by the Local Enterprise Offices, which also found that these producers employ 1,131 people, and expect to create a further 373 jobs over the next 12 months, bringing the total number of jobs supported to just over 1,500 across the country.
Minister for Jobs Mary Mitchell O'Connor pictured at Food Academy showcase with food producers
Run over a series of workshops, the Food Academy programme is an initiative of the Local Enterprise Offices, Bord Bia and SuperValu to nurture new start-ups in the food and drink sector, helping food producers to start selling through supermarkets and farmers’ markets, and it focuses on areas such as business planning, understanding consumer trends and raising finance.
The businesses receive one to one mentoring and also pitch for a chance to trial their products in a SuperValu store. Since the programme began in 2013, over 1,100 products have been successfully trialled and are now on sale through the Irish supermarket chain. According to SuperValu, consumers in Ireland are expected to spend €25 million on Food Academy products in their stores in 2016.
The Food Academy Start programme is delivered through the Local Enterprise Offices in local authorities. Find your Local Enterprise Office and get in touch.