Latest news

The biggest ever agri-food sector mission from Northern Ireland will visit New Zealand, from 23 January to 3 February, as part of Invest NI's drive to fast track the development of world beating food innovation and global brands by local companies.

Over an eight day period the 25-strong innovation and best practice mission to New Zealand will split into three separate delegations to conduct more than 70 meetings in all parts of New Zealand with the country's major red meat, lamb, venison and dairy food processors, farmers, industry associations, research institutes and universities.

IFE newcomer Mullin's Ice Cream has won a contract to supply its pure dairy ice cream to Donnybrook Fair, Dublin's gourmet food store. The ice cream company, based at Kilrea, a rural community in County Derry in Northern Ireland, is showing its comprehensive range of richly flavoured products at IFE from the Northern Ireland Pavilion ??“ N3205 / N3219 / N3230, organised by the Food Division of Invest Northern Ireland, the region's business development body.

Kevin Clark, former Chief Executive of Midland Chilled Foods, Willenhall, West Midlands, is launching a new ???Finest' range of sauces, mayonnaise and dressings at IFE from the Northern Ireland Pavilion ??“N3205 / N3219 / N3230 ??“ organised by the Food Division of Invest Northern Ireland, the region's business development body.

Close connections between food processors and farms will be emphasized on the Northern Ireland group stand at the International Food Exhibition at ExCel in London from 15-18 March.

Revolutionary cooking technology pioneered by Rooney Fish in Kilkeel is expanding export markets for its range of langoustines and other shellfish.

The company, which has been assisted by Invest Northern Ireland in developing the innovative processing technology, to expand into European markets and to implement a new quality standard, is also working with a team of chefs to create a range of tantalising meal ideas featuring its broad range of products.

Wal-Mart, the world's biggest retailer, has ordered gourmet cheese from an award winning Northern Ireland co-operative creamery. Fivemiletown Creamery, based in rural County Tyrone, is to supply its branded Oakwood Smoked Cheddar to Sam's Club, a membership only warehouse chain, part of giant US retailer Wal-Mart Stores.

Food retailer Asda has listed a new Irish bread concept, Irwin's Irish Batch, for stores across Great Britain. Supplying the traditional Irish Batch is Irwin's Bakery in Northern Ireland. The Irish Batch bread, available in half-loaf sizes, is based on the bakery's established Nutty Krust, one of its most successful lines in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Monthly Food and Drink News from Northern Ireland

Organic breakfast cereals and snacks from Northern Ireland based White's, have been ordered by major retailers in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates.

White's is supplying its full portfolio of organic porridge oats, toasted oats and real fruit porridge to the new customers, Park N Shop in Hong Kong and Lulu in Dubai.

Northern Ireland based Kestrel Foods, a market leader in premium healthy snacks such as dried fruits, seeds and nuts, has won its first business in the Netherlands.

The company is supplying its successful Forest Feast products to two of the leading retail chains in the Netherlands ??“ Super de Boer, headquartered in Amersfoort, and De Bijenkorf of Amsterdam.