“Food Export Ready Business Development Programme” 2017 

TASTE CORK Food Export Ready Business Development Programme 2017 for owners and managers of established commercial food businesses in Cork City and County who are getting ready for export.

The “TASTE CORK” EUROPE/ SCANDINAVIA EXPORT PROGRAMME 2017

Incorporating an International Food & Drink trade exhibition during 2017.  Participants will have an opportunity to exhibit at one of the key Food and Drink trade shows in Europe.

PROGRAMME SUMMARY:

This programme will deliver a comprehensive overview of the European market entry options for export ready food producers, determining the best market entry strategy for each participant. Each food company will be able to assess any barriers to market entry, differentiate between market entry strategies, and identify potential key European country importation partners through research and analysis, and subsequently negotiate successful distribution agreements in Europe.

PROGRAMME CONTENT:

PROGRAMME COST:

• Workshops Only €100
• Trade Show Cost + Workshops €350 (travel and accommodation to and from the event are not included in this fee, and are at your own expense)

PROGRAMME AIMS:

• Comprehensively prepare for attendance at a Food and Dink trade show during 2017.
• Identify any potential export challenges and suitable solutions to enter the European markets.
• Develop a comprehensive market entry ‘Export Plan’.
• Identify market entry ‘opportunity Gaps’ for participants through an analysis of key growth trends in the European/Scandinavian market.
• Develop suitable product offerings for the export market after analysing competing brands in target countries.  
• Improve on the brand offering for the European/Scandinavian export market.
• Develop a practical food export strategy unique to each individual brand requirements
• Put the correct resources in place to commence exporting successfully into Europe.
• Review the food market in key European countries including France, U.K., Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Denmark and Scandinavia.

 PROGRAMME BENEFITS TO PARTICIPANTS:

• Maintains Cork County on the world stage as a key speciality food producing region within Europe.
• It gives exhibitors the opportunity to meet face-to-face with the right buyers & decision makers from Europe’s wholesale, foodservice, manufacturing & speciality retail sectors.
• Generate sales leads: meet face-to-face with buyers across the full industry spectrum
• All key Food & Drink sectors covered: Wholesale, grocery, foodservice, & speciality.
• An opportunity to meet buyers from across Europe attending a Food and Drink event.

 WHY TARGET EUROPE/SCANDINAVIA?

• 72% of all food exports from Ireland in 2015 were to Europe including the U.K.
• The value of the European market for food products is €1,074 Billion
• €191 BN, the value of the German grocery market in 2015.
• Irish brands have secured a strong presence in international markets - Kerrygold continues to be the number one butter brand in Germany, with 3m packs sold on a weekly basis.  
• Scandinavia - The people of Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Finland traditionally have good relations with the Irish, typically speak good or excellent English and have much in common with Ireland.
• Retail sales for food and drink in Sweden are in excess of €27 Billion per year Swedish consumers are prepared to pay a premium price for high quality products with substantiated health benefits.
• The Netherlands is a key destination for Irish food with exports worth over €660 million euros each year.
• The main EU markets, namely France, Spain, UK, Italy and Germany continue to dominate seafood exports, accounting for around 55% of the total.
• Europe is a hotspot for R&D and high value specialty foods.
• The growth markets for prepared consumer foods in 2015 were France, Belgium, and Scandinavia.  
• The European/Scandinavian market is close to Ireland and more manageable for Irish exporters than Asia or America. (The perfect first step!)
• European consumers love Irish foods and language isn’t a barrier to companies that wish to export.
• Common trends in European countries - Pleasure, health and convenience are the key trends across European countries.
• Population > 354m in the top 6 countries.
• Close proximity
• Similar tastes, preferences, trends

Supported by:

Cork County Council, Cork City Council, Local Enterprise Office South Cork, Local Enterprise Office Cork North & West and Local Enterprise Office Cork City