Latest news

Rooney Fish, Northern Ireland’s leading shellfish processor, is to launch oysters in a major diversification of the business because of the reduced catches of nephrops.

Based at Kilkeel in County Down, the company is producing oysters under Millbay Oysters from its Pacific oyster farm in the pristine waters of Carlingford Lough for customers worldwide.

Top awards for marketing were won by two Northern Ireland food exporters – Kestrel Foods in Portadown, County Armagh and artisan business Cloughbane Farm in Pomeroy, County Tyrone.

Kestrel Foods, a manufacturer of dried fruit and nut snacks, was named Best New Product Launch/Relaunch for its Forest Feast Street Food range, which is now sold internationally. Another exporter, Dale Farm, the region’s main dairy business, was highly commended for its new Protein Milk in the annual Ulster Grocer Awards.

Sales volume at Moy Park, Northern Ireland’s biggest food business, grew two per cent compared to the same period in 2015, reporting a strong performance in its UK and Ireland and Continental Europe business units.

The company is Northern Ireland’s only ?1 billion business and is headquartered at Dungannon in County Tyrone.

Award winning Cavanagh Free Range Eggs has won its first major supermarket deal, which will see it supply its locally farmed free range eggs to Asda stores across Northern Ireland.

Linden Foods, a leading Northern Irish meat processor, has won the Marks & Spencer Best New Product Development Award for an innovative chicken burger.

Around Noon, the Northern Ireland specialist in premium sandwiches and snacks, has linked up with Clandeboye Estate Yoghurt, another local artisan business, to develop an innovative breakfast ‘on the go’ product for clients in the Republic of Ireland.

The new product, part of Around Noon’s quirky ‘A Bit on the Side’ portfolio of quality snacks has already won significant business with a leading caf? chain in the Republic, features Clandeboye Greek Style Yoghurt with layers of nut free granola and a rich fruit compote developed by the Newry business, now a leader Irish innovator in quality convenience and snack foods. The compote is currently available in mango and strawberry flavours in a handy tub.

First Minister Arlene Foster has attended Fortnum and Mason’s Taste of Northern Ireland celebration in London.

The 309 year old iconic family business is famous for bringing the finest food and drink to its customers from all the corners of the world. From 5-19 May, Fortnum’s is recognising the quality and innovation of Northern Ireland food and drink in a high profile promotion at its Piccadilly store.

Ten of the top 50 most profitable companies in Northern Ireland are in food, a new survey of the regional economy shows. Poultry processor Moy Park is the top listed food company at number five in the study by the Belfast Telegraph sponsored by business consultants Arthur Cox.

C&J Meats, one of Northern Ireland’s leading meat processors, has launched a new range of branded premium steak products targeted at Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

The brand, Sam’s Farm Matured Beef, is named after John McCann, a founder and owner with Colm Pyers of C&J Meats, which is based at Kilmore in County Armagh and is also a major exporter of beef to Great Britain, the Republic of Ireland and other parts of Europe.

O’Doherty’s Fine Meats in Northern Ireland gained two gold medals and two silver medals in the recent Foodex 2016 awards.