A PROGRAMME to boost dairy exports outside the European Union ha generated almost £3 million in sales in its first year.
The Dairy Council for Northern Ireland said the performance had "far outstripped targets".
It was the first in a three-year scheme established with an initial investment of £205,000.
The initiative, which is 50 per cent funded by the EU, was launched last year to support dairy sales from the north to south-east Asia, Middle East and Russia.
As part of the programme, local dairy companies had the opportunity to exhibit a range of local products to international markets, including attending and exhibiting last year in SIAL China which had over 2,700 international exhibitors.
Dairy Council chief executive Dr Mike Johnston hailed the success of the scheme.
“The premise for this programme was to help NI dairy companies to identify new customers in the target regions, and to start doing business with them," he said.
"Y1 sales through the programme have far surpassed our expectations, and have built a solid foundation for the programme’s progression over the next two years.”
Dr Johnston said the aim of the initiative was to create create long-term, sustainable relationships with international companies.
“Feedback from dairy companies and international clients has been very positive to date, and suggests that the programme has generated a greater understanding of the professionalism and efficiency associated with Northern Ireland’s dairy industry," he said.
"The industry has a high reputation at home and it is crucial that we replicate this reputation in our efforts overseas.
“In addition to attending the massive SIAL China trade event, in the past year we have organised five inward trade missions hosting 23 buyers representing companies in eight countries, and furthermore, website traffic has grown to over 140 visitors from 22 different countries.
"The trade visits in particular have allowed potential customers to gain first-hand experience of our industry, especially in relation to the attention to detail that our farmers devote to quality standards. As one put it, they have now ’made the connection with what Northern Ireland dairy is all about’ and that’s quality ingredients, welfare standards, and an unsurpassed food safety record.”
The Dairy Council said additional potential new buyers will be brought to the north for three days with the first visit taking place on May 16-17 this year.
