US Boost For Clare’s Agri-Food Exporters

The central Manhattan office was officially opened this week by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith TD.

According to Minister Killeen: "There are many Clare-based agri-food exporters that have managed to successfully break into the US market in recent years. The ability of Bord Bia to assist these companies will be further strengthened with the opening of this new office."

"There remains a clear and growing confidence on the part of the US companies in the quality, safety and commercial potential of Irish food ingredients and in the companies producing them. They have expressed full confidence in the regulatory control systems in Ireland, which are increasingly important in world trade and in the technical and research capabilities of Teagasc and our academic institutions": the Junior Agriculture Minister added.

"The United States presents a significant export outlet for Irish agri-food products and US companies provide very important employment opportunities at home. The opening of this new Bord Bia office will help develop new market and employment opportunities for agri-food exporters on both sides of the Atlantic": Minister Killeen concluded.

In 2007, Ireland enjoyed a healthy trade surplus for agri-food products of almost EUR188 million with the US. Irish agri-food exports to the US last year were worth EUR440 million, of which beverages along with dairy products accounted for almost 90% of the value of Irish exports.

-ENDS-

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
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