More than 180 food and drink exporters and experts from the UK and Ireland have gathered in Dublin to discuss post-Brexit trading.
Bord Bia brought them together to share information, and outline the organisation’s measures for supporting companies in the new trading environment.
The Irish companies, who had highlighted the need for information in a Bord Bia post-Brexit survey, got insights from experts on current UK and EU market conditions and currency management.
Opening the briefing session, Bord Bia CEO Aidan Cotter said: “The purpose of the briefing is to explore and begin to understand the implications of Brexit for a market that takes 41% of our food and drink exports, valued at €4.4bn.”
Source: Bord Bia based on CSO
“Our hope is that today's event may advance all of our deliberations and if we can't resolve the uncertainty - and clearly we can't - that at least we can now begin to learn how we can deal with it and live with it.”
Brid Cannon, assistant secretary-general at the Department of Agriculture, presented an overview of potential UK/EU trading relations.
She sketched out the timetable for negotiating the UK exit, the subsequent trade agreement framework and the time available to companies to adapt to any new trading environment.
While the impact on the UK grocery market and the immediate concern of companies in relation to currency exposure were also discussed.
Source: Bord Bia based on CSO
Bord Bia says it will also hold a workshop on currency volatility later this month.
Two discussion panels also concentrated on the UK retail market and on challenges for Irish exporters.
Among those taking part were Jon Copestake from The Economist, Dawn Farm Foods CEO Larry Murrin, the chief executive of the ABP Food Group Paul Finnerty, and managing director of Lily O’Brien’s, Eoin Donnelly.
Bord Bia says programmes it is running for companies entering the UK will have their financial, competitive, contractual and regulatory modules strengthened.
While one-to-one mentoring with UK foodservice and retail experts will be made available to more companies from next week.
Source: UK Food and Drink Federation
The food board also says it will increase its focus on promoting Ireland "as a sustainable sourcing opportunity for UK buyers."
"Utilising its long term, strong relationships with UK trade customers, Bord Bia will amplify existing trade events, ‘meet the buyer’ sessions and pursue opportunities to promote Irish products in the retail and foodservice environment," it adds.
While Bord Bia says its market development activities on the Irish market are also being reviewed.
An ‘Origin Green’ campaign is set to take place from October to December, to highlight commitments being made by Irish farmers and the wider food industry in sustainability.
Bord Bia has also prepared a briefing document, outlining Ireland’s trade with the UK and possible implications from the UK’s exit from the European Union.
