The Irish food board, Bord Bia, has opened a new “office gateway” in Warsaw, from which it aims to drive exports of Irish food and drink into 11 targeted central European markets.
Pigmeat, with the specific target of increasing sales into Poland, is included in the organisation’s list of key sectors for driving the growth of Irish exports in the region, alongside prepared foods, beef and drinks.
“Our food and drink industry has always embraced the challenge of finding new markets for our produce, exporting over 80% of what we produce,” said Ireland’s Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, during a visit to the new office.
“From this strategic location Bord Bia can pave the way to new and valuable markets reaching to the eastern borders of the EU with a combined population of 103 million and a retail market worth €177 billion (£150bn). While our three largest markets in the region currently absorb 85% of exports, there exists huge potential for further growth.”
The 11 target countries being target by Bord Bia are Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
