Bord Bia to focus on emerging markets during its trade programme in 2024
On Bia’s Drink Sectors And New A Of Are Meat, Trade Trade Focusing In Dairy, Included Shows Show Host The Activity Bord
Bord Bia has announced its international trade programme of activity for 2024.
The programme includes ministerial-led trade missions and a calendar of 24 trade show events across China, Europe, Japan, the US, and South East Asia.
Highlights in the 2024 events calendar include an upcoming trade mission to the US starting on March 24, which will be led by Minister of State Martin Heydon.
This will be followed by another trade mission to China later in the year.
Also included in Bord Bia’s trade show activity are a host of new trade shows focusing on the meat, dairy, and drink sectors.
There is a focus on emerging and growing markets, including South East Asia, which is growing at pace and represents a priority target market for the diversification of Irish food and drink exports.
Bord Bia chief executive Jim O’Toole commented: "Irish food and drink exports are worth €16.3bn to the Irish economy so structured engagements like trade shows and trade missions offer a real opportunity to communicate the premium quality of Ireland’s food and drink to both existing and potential customers overseas.
"The impact of meeting face-to-face with international customers is incredibly important for driving business and leads to benefits all along the supply chain, particularly for farmers as our primary producers.
"Trade shows are strategically important for Irish exporting companies looking at building new contacts that allow industry to diversify into new markets."
Earlier this month, Bord Bia hosted seven Irish companies at Biofach, the largest organic trade show in Germany.
In October, Bord Bia will also exhibit at the Nordic Organic Trade Show in Stockholm for the first time as part of the wider programme of activity in building the awareness of pasture-raised organic beef and lamb across Europe.
Bord Bia is also organising and coordinating the Irish presence at a host of other European trade fairs for retail and food service channels in the coming months, attracting trade buyers from across Europe, the UK, US, China, South East Asia and Japan.
Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue announced recently that he has appointed Larry Murrin as the new chairman-designate of Bord Bia to succeed the outgoing chairman Dan MacSweeney.
Mr Murrin is the co-founder and chief executive of Dawn Farms. He is a past president of Ibec and was chairman of Food and Drink Industry Ireland (FDII) for 12 years.
He has also served on the consumer foods board of Bord Bia since its inception.
Mr McConalogue said that Mr Murrin has "extensive experience across the agri-food sector and will bring a wealth of valuable expertise in leading Bord Bia in the promotion and marketing of our food, drink and horticulture products here and abroad".
"As Ireland’s largest indigenous exporting industry, the agri-food sector plays a vital role in Ireland’s economy with an export value exceeding €16bn in 2023, representing over 9% of in value terms of Ireland’s exports," he said.
"I have no doubt that Larry will guide Bord Bia to continue to deliver on its aim to bring Ireland’s outstanding food, drink and horticulture produce to the world, thus enabling growth and sustainability of our food businesses and primary producers."
Commenting on his appointment, Mr Murrin said: "As a practitioner in the industry for over 40 years and having served on the consumer foods sub-board of Bord Bia since its inception, I am delighted to be appointed to the position of chairperson (designate) of Bord Bia.
"The agri-food sector is embarking on a new journey full of challenge and opportunity.
"During my term in office, I look forward to working with my fellow board members, CEO Jim O’Toole and his executive team to further the aims of the industry.”
