Agri-food sector must move with times

The agri-food sector in Northern Ireland must keep up with changes in both the local and global food markets, a visiting US expert has said.

Professor Tom Kennedy, from Delaware Valley College, Pennsylvania, who is on a study visit to the University of Ulster’s School of Marketing, Entrepreneurship and Strategy said this week that while there were many issues facing the agri-food sectors in Northern Ireland, he was confident that it would not only survive, but thrive.

“We don’t want to see the food and agricultural industries here go the same way as the linen and shipbuilding industries because people didn’t stay attuned to changes,” he said.

“Diet, nutrition, food safety and security seem to be the key issues in the US at present. The whole industry is very consumer-orientated and changing consumer preferences are driving everything from what new products are developed, to the way they are marketed.

During his visit to Northern Ireland, Professor Kennedy hopes to explore how some of the key issues in the US will impact on Northern Ireland and to work with staff in the School of Marketing, Entrepreneurship and Strategy in developing best practice food marketing initiatives.

(MB/KMcA)