Northern Irish quality meat showcased at ANUGA 2013

The quality and innovation underpinning Northern Irish food and drink, especially beef, sheep meat and pork, will be showcased at ANUGA, the world's most important exhibition for the industry, which is being held at Cologne in Germany, from 5-9thOctober.

Five of the leading red meat and pork processors will feature on the Northern Ireland Naturally exhibition stand and products from a further seven companies, including artisan enterprises, will be displayed within the extensive Great Britain and Northern Ireland Pavilion.

The five meat companies on the Northern Ireland Naturally stand, all of which have extensive business with European and other international supermarkets and foodservice organisations: are Dunbia, Foyle Food Group, Hewitt Meats and Linden Foods, which are locally-owned, along with Karro Foods Ltd, a specialist in pork and bacon.

The showcase of quality food is being organised by Invest Northern Ireland, the region's business development agency.

Also attending the exhibition independently in their own capacity are Moy Park (part of the Brazilian Marfrig organisation) and ABP, both of which have major Northern Ireland operations.

Beef, sheep meat and pork processors on the Northern Ireland Naturally stand have long focused on business outside the region and currently sell more than 70 per cent of their total production abroad.

Together they represent sectors which generate over €1.5 billion annually for the Northern Ireland economy, around 26 per cent of the total sales of the region's food and drink industry, the biggest and most successful business sector.

Overall, food and drink contributes over £4 billion annually to the local economy and is the region's biggest exporter.

Companies on the Invest NI Northern Ireland Naturally Stand at ANUGA 2013

Dunbia, Dungannon - red meat and pork

Foyle Food Group, Londonderry - red meat

Hewitt Meats, Armagh - red meat

Karro Foods, Cookstown - pork products

Linden Foods, Dungannon - red meat

Companies in the Great Britain & Northern Ireland Pavilion

Around Noon, Newry - sandwiches and snacks

Belfast Distillery, Belfast - Irish whiskey

Big Shot NI, Belfast - energy drink

Blackthorn Foods, Belfast - gourmet fudge and fondues

Dale Farm - dairy products, butter cheese, yoghurt

Mash Direct, Comber - convenience potato and vegetable meals

McColgan's Quality Foods, Strabane - pies and quiches