News
Canadian Quality
The MENA market has consistently represented 1% of total export trade for Canadian beef and veal products over the last few years. When it comes to raising cattle for the premium market sector, Canada enjoys a perfect-storm scenario. Not only is it the second-largest land mass with all the necessary natural resources, climate conditions, pristine environment, and a single breed of cattle (Bos taurus only), but it has developed world-class quality and safety standards to protect the food supply and the environment, along with the production sophistication of multigenerational, family-owned farming that spans hundreds of years.
Bord Bia on show
A number of great Irish meat suppliers in beef, lamb and poultry have recently received halal certification, which will mean consumers here will see an increased presence of Irish produce available on both retail shelves and on restaurant menus. Last year they exported over $300 million worth of food into the GCC and aims to grow that to over $500 million by 2020. Michael Hussey Bord Bia’s Middle East regional market director set up the UAE-based office in January 2014 and this has enabled the expansion over the past four years.
Bord Bia will be exhibiting with a number of Irish meat companies at Gulfood this year. A key part of why they exhibit is to tell the story of how Irish food is produced in a sustainable way for future generations. Of Ireland’s total food exports, 90% are produced in accordance with our Origin Green principles. Origin Green is the only sustainability programme in the world operating on a national scale, uniting government, the private sector and food producers through Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board. Independently verified, this voluntary programme enables Ireland’s farmers, food producers and retail and food service operators to set and achieve measurable sustainability targets that reduce environmental impact, serve local communities more effectively and protecting the rich natural resources that Ireland enjoys.
Products
Origin Green
Irish meat products will become much more available in the UAE throughout 2018. Irish cattle and sheep are raised on small family farms, kept out to pasture in the clean air of Ireland for up to 8 months of the year and have a completely natural diet. The processes on Irish farms are uncomplicated and taken from centuries of Irish farming tradition where our luscious green environment is a real point of difference for the quality of the Irish meat.
Premium Cuts
Last year was a busy period for Food Source, which introduced several new meat lines. These included Blackmore’s full blood Wagyu, Tender Valley marble score 3+ 200-day grain fed black Angus, Acres grass-fed organic beef, Canadian corn fed beef, organic Saltbush lamb as well as looking into different cuts and specifications with established brands like Mulwarra. This is to ensure Food Source product available to cater to all the needs of the consumers.
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