Member Article

West Midlands food sector pointed to Irish opportunities

Food and drink firms in the West Midlands are being offered a chance to discover a new market opportunities

UKTI has arranged a visit to Dublin for the Taste of Britain exhibition on September 26-27, and wants to take food and drink companies who are interested in overseas markets.

According UKTI, Ireland is the number one export market for food and drink, and the event is set to be attended by hundreds of distributors, purchasing managers and buyers.

Ireland is said to present an ideal market opportunity with the same language, similar food tastes, business etiquette, culture, customs and close proximity.

Irish buying decision and industry trends are generally seen to be similar as those in the UK, and the average spend per person, per year on British goods is £2,500.

Along with opportunity to display at the trade show, the UKTI programme includes store visits; a series of seminars with experts in the Irish food and drink sector; advice from professional services firms such as lawyers O’Rourke Reid, Ulster Bank and accountants RSM Farrell Grant; and a visit to ‘SHOP’, Ireland’s retail, food, drink and hospitality show.

Doug Mahoney, Regional Director, UK Trade & Investment West Midlands said: “Despite the doom and gloom we so often hear around the Eurozone, healthy markets - such as the Irish food and drink market - still exist.

“I would urge any West Midlands food and drink company thinking of exporting overseas to come and join us on this exciting trip to Dublin in September - the closing date for registration is Friday 17 August 2012.”

Those interested in applying for the programme should contact Vicki Caplin of UKTI Ireland, via email: tdvdublin@fco.gov.uk; and on 00353 1 205 3757.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .