Northern Ireland Food & Drink

06 December 2011

It's time to stop analysing and start doing.....

“It’s time to stop analysing and start doing” was the clear message from Tony O’Neill, Chairman of NIFDA and Moy Park Director, as he addressed over 300 representatives from the food and drink industry and DARD Minister Michelle O’Neill at the 15^th NIFDA Annual Dinner last week.

Mr O’Neill referred to the ambitious growth targets that both the Scottish and Irish Governments have set for their food and drink industries, representing 60% and 40% respectively.   He said “in order to achieve this level of growth in Northern Ireland, we need co-operation, collaboration and concentration unlike anything delivered to date.

“Achieving 40% growth in our Food and Drink Industry would generate more than £600million worth of new export business per year, would lead to output worth £6.5billion to Northern Ireland’s economy and create up to 15,000 new jobs.

“We call on the executive to facilitate an action based plan to grab this opportunity before our competitors take it from us. The proposed Food Strategy Board must be a body for action – not a talking shop” he concluded.

Also speaking at the event, Mark Price, Waitrose Chief Executive revealed that the upmarket retailer is considering a move into the Northern Ireland market as part of its plan to double in size over the next decade.

Mr Price said, “The optimism in Northern Ireland is palpable. Waitrose is keen to expand into the Northern Ireland market and we have had a very positive reaction from the Executive. Waitrose spends £100million on products from Northern Ireland every year from some of the region’s very best food producers.”

Mr Price attributed the continued success of Waitrose in this difficult economic climate to their focus on delivering both value and quality. Waitrose bought the Duchy Originals brand from The Prince of Wales in 2010 and all the organic chicken produced for this brand comes from Northern Ireland, through Moy Park.

During his visit to Northern Ireland Mr Price addressed Business in the Community, met with First Minister Peter Robinson and Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster and ended his trip with a visit to Moy Park, Northern Ireland’s largest food processing company.