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Despite disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Middle East continued to strengthen trade with Ireland, with Irish food and drink exports to the region totaling AED 1.4 billion (US$ 380 million), up 10%.
The UAE imported AED367 million worth of Irish food and beverages, a 49 percent increase on last year.
Price increases across the supply chain in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict have affected all aspects of global food and drink exports, however, Bord Bia (Irish Food Council) reports an increase in the number of goods exported, with a record global increase of 25% by 2022, A total of 66 billion dirhams.
Bord Bia’s newly appointed chief executive, Jim O’Toole, revealed the Middle East figures during Gulfood, the largest annual food and beverage buying event currently being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
trade strategy
This is O’Toole’s first visit to the region as chief executive of Bord Bia, following his appointment last November. As Irish exports continue to increase throughout the Middle East, O’Toole will continue to drive trade strategies to foster success and encourage new relationships with partners, chefs and suppliers across the region.
O’Toole said: “The past few years may have presented many challenges to the world, but the healthy export figures we have seen do demonstrate the resilience of the Irish food and drink sector. The Middle East is a market that values ​​high quality products and Ireland is known for its Renowned for excellence in producing sustainably produced products. In a region that relies on imports for up to 80-90% of its food, we know that food safety remains a key strategic and policy priority for the Gulf countries. That’s why the country through Ireland With our sustainability programme, Origin Green, we are ideally positioned to meet this need. Sustainability is at the heart of everything Bord Bia does with Irish food and drink companies and despite the anticipated economic challenges ahead, we will continue to be agile, An economy that is responsive and understands the needs that drive our industry.”
In 2022, Bord Bia embarks on its first post-pandemic trade visit to the region, identifying the UAE and Saudi Arabia as priority markets. During the trade mission, Bord Bia launched a new three-year strategy ‘Cultivating a Future of Prosperity’ with the aim of increasing Irish food and drink exports to the Middle East to AED1.6 billion by 2025.
Highlights
Bord Bia is rapidly approaching this stated goal, attributing this growth in the report to its strong focus on quality, traceability and sustainability, making Ireland a natural choice for a region that is highly reliant on imports to meet its food needs. Partner.
Over the last year, Bord Bia conducted extensive research and surveys to understand the changing priorities and needs of consumers in the region. Insights from the study have a significant impact on the growth of the figures through 2022.
Imports from the Middle East continue to be dominated by dairy products, with dairy raw materials worth AED 1.2 billion, an increase of 8% over 2021. However, the largest increase in food and drink imports from Middle East Ireland last year was in beverages, with a rise of 58% and an estimated 53% increase in seafood. Given the very high number of Irish expatriates, the availability of prepared consumer food has also increased by 20%.
Health awareness
Kieran Fitzgerald, Bord Bia Regional Director Middle East, added: “Over the past ten years we have been able to build, strengthen and develop relationships between Irish producers and Middle Eastern entities. Relationships like these have been instrumental to the growth of our business and the The diversification of the economy has played an important role. We also realized the real potential of an increasingly health-conscious market, where consumers’ priorities are shifting towards more natural. Product, country of origin, food safety Standards, animal welfare and sustainable practices. Acting with a similar vision of a nurturing, thriving and sustainable future is what Ireland has in common with the goals set in the Middle East. We look forward to seeing our progress over the next few years.”
In June, Bord Bia will welcome a delegation of food and drink companies from the UAE and the Gulf to Ireland for a knowledge sharing program to learn about Origin Green and the sustainability practices integral to the Irish farming system. — trade arab news agency
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