Dr David Dobbin CBE, Chairman of the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association, has called for the local agri-food industry to up its game right along the supply chain to take on the competition and seek out the best opportunities for increased value from the market.  He said that the industry faced major challenges in the form of intense price competition and falling returns and that it could not afford to sit out the current difficult markets and wait for things to get better.

Dr Dobbin made the comments at the 19^th Northern Ireland Food and Drink (NIFDA) Annual Dinner, sponsored by HSBC and attended by over 200 leading figures in the local agri-food industry.

He said that whilst a number of factors are causing marketplace volatility and turmoil, food manufacturers and processors must focus on pro-actively pursuing opportunities rather than simply adopting a defensive position.

“A general fall in commodity prices, adverse exchange rates, a price war on the high street and the ending of EU milk quotas have all impacted upon the local food and drink industry,” he said.  “Intense price competition in falling markets has resulted in lower returns and deflation with the impact being felt right along the supply chain including farmers, processors and retailers – none of whom has been making any money.  However, we must focus on the opportunities rather than the problems.”

Dr Dobbin said that the Northern Ireland agri-food industry must exploit its strengths, including our island status which is enabling us to create a ‘food fortress’ with one of the highest integrity supply chains in the world.  He also welcomed the recent political agreement which includes a reduction in the rate of corporation tax to 12.5% by 2018, and the continuation of the industrial rate relief for manufacturing.

NIFDA is due to issue its manifesto in early 2016, which will outline its main priorities for removing barriers to trade and improving the competitiveness of the sector.  Dr Dobbin outlined the main themes of the manifesto – which include: reducing our cost and tax base; increasing market support activity; increasing product and process innovation activity; and improving our skills base and attracting talent in the sector.

Tesco Plc Chief Product Officer Jason Tarry took to the podium on the evening to outline Tesco’s future plans in Northern Ireland, while local Tesco representative Cliff Kells, who is due to retire in 2016, was honoured at the event for his significant contribution to the local grocery sector.

Allan Wilkinson, Head of Food and Agriculture UK, HSBC, commented: “HSBC is delighted to be sponsoring the 19th Annual Dinner of the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association. HSBC is active across the whole food and drink industry internationally, and we strongly believe that Northern Ireland will continue to expand its presence in the international trade of food and drink, as it has done for a number of years. We are keen to play a part in this expansion, and to support a number of successful businesses which have their origins in Northern Ireland, while also building upon the relationships we already have in the community.”

ENDS

For further information please contact Michelle Black at Morrow Communications on 02890 393837 or email m.black@morrowcommunications.com

Pic Caption:

Pictured at the 19^th Annual NIFDA Dinner are NIFDA Chair, Dr David Dobbin CBE; Tesco Chief Product Officer, Jason Tarry; and Head of Food and Agriculture UK for HSBC, Allan Wilkinson.