Export growth for Northern Ireland dairy industry
Almost ?3 million in additional export sales was generated last yearfor Northern Ireland milk processors in an initiative to help the
industry counter price volatility.
The initiative by the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland (DCNI)
with EU support helped a group of milk processors expand sales in
South East Asia and the Middle East through participation in
targeted exhibitions and a programme of meet the buyer events in
Northern Ireland. The exports included a range of dairy products
including powdered milk, butter and cheese.
DCNI says the first year of the initiative brought a return of
?2,950,000 for participating milk processors. The programme is 50
per cent funded by the EU as part of its support for the milk
processing industry.
It enabled local dairy companies such as Dale Farm, Fane Valley and Pritchitts, part of Lakeland, to exhibit at SIAL China 2015 which
had over 2,700 international exhibitors and was the region's biggestfood show.
DCI chief executive Dr Mike Johnston says: "The premise for this
programme was to help Northern Ireland dairy companies to identify
new customers in target regions, and to start doing business with
them.
"The results of the first year have far surpassed our expectations, and have built a solid foundation for the programme's progression
over the next two years.
"Feedback from local dairy companies and international clients has
been very positive to date, and suggests that the programme has
generated a greater understanding of the professionalism and
efficiency associated with Northern Ireland's dairy industry. The
industry has a high reputation at home and it is crucial that we
replicate this in our efforts overseas."
In addition to attendance at SIAL China, we have organised five
inward trade missions hosting 23 buyers representing companies in
eight countries, and furthermore, website traffic has grown to
include visitors from 22 different countries."
The initiative was the first EU contract for Third Country exports
to be awarded to any organisation within the UK food sector.
Dairy processing is Northern Ireland's biggest category - after meat- in agri-food. It generates exports of almost ?400 million a year and contributes around ?1 billion to the local economy. Milk is
supplied by over 2,500 dairy farmers and overall the industry
employs in excess of 2,000 people.
industry counter price volatility.
The initiative by the Dairy Council for Northern Ireland (DCNI)
with EU support helped a group of milk processors expand sales in
South East Asia and the Middle East through participation in
targeted exhibitions and a programme of meet the buyer events in
Northern Ireland. The exports included a range of dairy products
including powdered milk, butter and cheese.
DCNI says the first year of the initiative brought a return of
?2,950,000 for participating milk processors. The programme is 50
per cent funded by the EU as part of its support for the milk
processing industry.
It enabled local dairy companies such as Dale Farm, Fane Valley and Pritchitts, part of Lakeland, to exhibit at SIAL China 2015 which
had over 2,700 international exhibitors and was the region's biggestfood show.
DCI chief executive Dr Mike Johnston says: "The premise for this
programme was to help Northern Ireland dairy companies to identify
new customers in target regions, and to start doing business with
them.
"The results of the first year have far surpassed our expectations, and have built a solid foundation for the programme's progression
over the next two years.
"Feedback from local dairy companies and international clients has
been very positive to date, and suggests that the programme has
generated a greater understanding of the professionalism and
efficiency associated with Northern Ireland's dairy industry. The
industry has a high reputation at home and it is crucial that we
replicate this in our efforts overseas."
In addition to attendance at SIAL China, we have organised five
inward trade missions hosting 23 buyers representing companies in
eight countries, and furthermore, website traffic has grown to
include visitors from 22 different countries."
The initiative was the first EU contract for Third Country exports
to be awarded to any organisation within the UK food sector.
Dairy processing is Northern Ireland's biggest category - after meat- in agri-food. It generates exports of almost ?400 million a year and contributes around ?1 billion to the local economy. Milk is
supplied by over 2,500 dairy farmers and overall the industry
employs in excess of 2,000 people.