Crosskeys Fine Foods targets delis in Ireland

Crosskeys Fine Foods in Northern Ireland is developing a range of convenience meals including pies and marinades for delis in the Republic of Ireland. The company, based at Randalstown in County Antrim, is investing almost £300,000 to develop the business with the creation of a range of added-value stir-fry and marinade products.

The investment is an important move into added-value products by a successful local company which is led by Paul McKee, an experienced businessman who has been engaged in the meat industry for over 20 years. Underpinning this new business is his extensive knowledge of the marketplace.

Mr McKee, who runs a successful butchery operation, identified an opportunity for premium convenience products, tested it successfully with an initial range of foods and is now moving to develop the business in the Republic, a deli meats market valued annually at almost £600 million.

Mr McKee said: "The development of a range of new products was influenced significantly by requests from customers of my existing business for pies and marinades to make meals at home more interesting and tasty.

It gave me an opportunity to develop a new and different product range in addition to the quality meats that I've been providing for over 10 years through the butchery business in Northern Ireland.

"I decided to test the market by including some stir fry and marinade products, which were very well received. The process also produced other ideas from customers about potential convenience foods. The trend towards premium convenience foods is clearly being driven by the recession.

"While consumers tend to be eating out less, they are increasingly seeking quality and tasty foods they can make easily at home. All the indications are that this is a trend that will continue to develop over the next few years.

"My aim is to build the business by selling in the Republic. I hope to see this market contribute around 30 per cent of my turnover. Initial research indicates that there is a good market, particularly in the border counties, for the type of quality convenience foods that I am developing.

"The deli foods market in the Republic is reported by Mintel, the leading international research organisation, to be worth around £600 million," he added.