A EUROPEAN export programme has driven an addition €7 million (£5m) in sales into Northern Ireland SMEs.
Thirty small food and drink firms took part in the Access 6 initiative which saw a 65 per cent rise in export sales.
Over the two years of the scheme, participating companies in the north, such as Mash Direct, Slive of Heaven and Brunch Box created 184 new jobs.
The aim was to increase sales to six target regions, namely North American, Benellux, Scandinavia, Germany, France and London/ south-east England.
Notable successes stories from Northern Ireland included Broighter Gold in Limavady, which is now exporting it premium rapeseed oil to a leading French retailer, La Grande Epicrie de Paris.
Meanwhile, both Mash Direct and Tasty Food Cuisine have developed substantial levels of new business in England via Tesco and Asda.
Another export achievement is Kircubbin-based Echinville Whiskey which is developing business opportunities in Germany with leading distributor, Hanseatische Weinhandelsgesellschaft.
Michael Bell, executive director, NI Food & Drink said: “Developing Northern Ireland’s export potential is central to the continued growth of the food and drink industry. All involved in food production and processing have a role to play, none more so than our small to medium sized businesses which, with the support and input of programmes such as Access 6, will help us achieve the targets set by the Agri-Food Strategy Board in its Going for Growth strategy.
“The theme of ‘co-opetition’ lies at the heart of this programme, working together to share the market knowledge, contacts and techniques which will enable our SMEs to break into and compete effectively in new territories. Access 6 has created a strong platform for growth and we would urge others in the sector to tap into this highly effective resource which is now available on-line.”
The Access 6 initiative, led by NI Food & Drink (NIFDA), Irish Exporters Association (IEA) and Scotland Food & Drink (SFD) is part of a wider cross-border programme which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
