NI Food Industry 'Bucks Recessionary Trend'

Part of NI's economy is still literally 'growing' with a new report revealing potential growth opportunities for the local agri-food sector.

Bucking the trend overall, export market opportunities for local food companies are now projected to increase over the coming years.

The Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew has responded to the findings of the 'Value of Food and Drink Industry to Northern Ireland' report, giving it a very warm welcome.

The study was commissioned by the trade body the NI Food and Drink Association (NIFDA) and highlights, in particular, current opportunities for export business.

Commenting on the report, the Minister, said: "This study underlines the importance of the food supply industry in the north of Ireland," she said, noting that the critical contribution it makes to the wider economy, in terms of direct and indirect employment, export sales and sustaining rural business is significant.

"In recent years, local companies have looked to explore new and expanding markets and NIFDA's report identifies areas where the industry can further develop market opportunities.

"The agri-food industry benefits from a co-ordinated partnership approach to strategic support, with my own Department working closely with the Industry Advisory Panel, DETI and Invest NI.

"Collectively we provide support for innovation and skills development to help strengthen the competitiveness of our farm and food businesses."

She added: "I want to thank NIFDA for undertaking this work, which offers much food for thought for anyone who works in the sector."

Earlier this year, local food food companies were already said to be beating the recession by growing sales outside Northern Ireland.

Stormont Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster backed the sector when she was speaking at the annual Ulster Farmers Union (UFU) Farmhouse Business Breakfast, which she described as "a celebration of an industry that is at the very core of Northern Ireland's economy and one that never fails to deliver on quality and eating experience."

Speaking in January, Arlene Foster said: "Food and drink here is one of relatively few sectors in any UK region to exhibit growth last year. Output grew by 10%, and additionally the sector displaying significant employment growth year on year of 2.9%.

"As a result of a strategic focus on developing new markets, Northern Ireland is now among the biggest suppliers of food and drink to Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

"Products worth more than £600m are also sold to markets outside the United Kingdom.

"When sales to Great Britain of more than £1.5bn are included, the proportion of goods sold to customers outside Northern Ireland rises to more than 60%.

"Overall it provides 15% of manufactured goods exported," she said, noting that this strategically important industry is now worth almost £3bn per annum and employs 19,220 people in processing a very broad range of food and drink.

The industry has also a strong commitment to innovation and currently contributes 14% to manufacturing Gross Value Added.

(BMcC/GK)