FOOD firms Finnebrogue in Downpatrick and Karro Food Group in Cookstown have partnered to secure multi-million pound UK contract with Asda to supply its entire range of Extra Special sausages and hot dogs.
It is the biggest own label contract to be won by any Northern Ireland Asda supplier to date - with an estimated three million packs set to sell throughout the summer months alone - the Extra Special sausage range will be available in more than 400 stores across the UK.
Pork sourced from farms across Northern Ireland is initially prepared at Karro's Cookstown plant. The meat is then transferred to the Finnebrogue estate in Downpatrick where the sausages are hand-made in small batches.
Jim Viggars, head of meat quality for Asda said, "This is a highly significant contract and we're delighted to announce the details at the Balmoral Show - the showcase event for Northern Ireland's local agri-food sector. The partnership between Finnebrogue and Karro Food Group pays testament to the skills of NI's farming community, the expertise of the local food processing sector and the quality of the region's raw materials."
Denis Lynn from Finnebrogue said: "We are and will always re-main an artisan food producer and we're delighted that our innovative approach and quality-focus remains at the core of this new supply contract.
This is also reflected in our partnership with Karro Food Group which, together with our transparent sourcing policies and welfare-friendly practices, delivers a highly sustainable premium sausage range for Asda customers across the UK."