An event showcasing sustainable food producers and exporters from Ireland is set to take place in Dubai this year.
Origin Green, A Taste of Ireland, organised by Bord Bia – Irish Food Board, will take place on 24 November at Ritz-Carlton Hotel, JBR, Dubai.
Chef Robbie Krawczyk of Tankardstown House will travel to Dubai for the event and is working on a menu especially for the night using Irish food available in the UAE market.
The event is expected to attract more than 350 buyers from retail, foodservice and manufacturing sectors, as well as local and Irish media and friends of Irish food.
Bord Bia is the main sponsor and organiser of the event, and more sponsors will be confirmed shortly.
The event is part of Origin Green, a national sustainability programme for the Irish food and beverage industry.
Launched in 2012, it is the only programme of its kind that operates on a national scale, uniting government, the private sector and food producers through Bord Bia.
The programme is independently verified at every stage and enables Ireland’s farmers and food producers to set and achieve measurable sustainability targets, reduce environmental impact and serve local communities more effectively.
The overall ambition is that every farm and food manufacturing business throughout Ireland will be on the road to sustainable production by the end of 2016.
Food exports from Ireland to the GCC have grown significantly in recent years, from €192 million ($211.19mn) in 2012 to over €260 million ($285.99mn) in 2015.
Exports of food from Ireland to the UAE are up by 25% in 2016 so far and if the trend continues, should reach over €60 million ($66mn) by year-end.
The most popular Irish food products in the UAE are dairy products, high quality dry aged Irish beef, seafood, and packaged consumer foods for the retail trade.
The alcoholic beverage sector also is a key export and is growing strongly, especially in the hospitality sector.
