Asda boost for Northern Ireland food suppliers

Sales of locally sourced food in Asda's Northern Ireland stores grew by eight percent last year, which the supermarket says shows that customers are actively supporting the region's agri-food industry.

The response to food and drink from Northern Ireland was also positive across Asda's UK-wide store network, where sales were up 4.1 percent year-on-year.

The impressive Asda NI sales figures reflect customer feedback which associates locally produced food with quality, freshness and trust.

The results come on the back of Asda's renewed commitment to the local food sector in the two years following on from Northern Ireland's 'Year of Food and Drink'.

This performance was also reinforced last month at the supermarket's National Supplier Conference where regional food was a focal point.

The growth is also an outcome of Asda's 'Supplier Development Academy' - a bespoke training programme which has helped local companies boost their trading potential by up to 30 percent.

Locally produced ready meals roseby 24 percent, with companies such as Mash Direct, Morrow Foods and Cloughbane Farm Foods each introducing new product lines such as Irish stew and sweet potato fries.

Northern Ireland's fast emerging craft-brewing and distilling industry has also influenced local sales with brands such as Jawbox Gin, Tempted Cider and Belfast Ale up by 15 percent.

Demand for sausages from Karro Foods - the Cookstown brand - and burgers from Doherty & Gray in Ballymena, county Antrim) have also contributed to the regional growth, with sales up six percent compared to the previous year.

Local bread remains a firm favourite with Asda customers, with more than one million packets of Sunblest pancakes sold throughout 2017.

Michael McCallion, buying manager for Asda NI, said: "2017 was another great year for our Northern Ireland supply base - both at a local and national level.

"We will continue to focus on the opportunities which will help our agri-food sector build their businesses with Asda by delivering the products and ranges which our customers want and trust."

Over £300 million of produce is annually sourced by the supermarket chain from more than 100 suppliers across the island of Ireland.