FOREWORD
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Volume 53, Number 1 January 2018 Editor: Alyson Magee E: a.magee@independentmagazinesni.co.uk Tel: 028 9026 4175 Contributors: Michele Shirlow, Donald C McFetridge, Richard Halleron, Jason Winstanley Sales Manager: Mark Glover E: m.glover@independentmagazinesni.co.uk Tel: 028 9026 4267 Art Editor: Helen Wright Production Manager: Irene Fitzsimmons Ulster Grocer c/o Independent News & Media Ltd, Belfast Telegraph House 33 Clarendon Road Clarendon Dock Belfast BT1 3BG www.ulstergrocer.com @ulstergrocer www.facebook.com/ulstergrocer Subscriptions: £27.50 per annum £37.50 per annum (outside UK) Designed & Produced by: Independent News & Media Ltd Tel: 028 9026 4000 Printed by: W&G Baird, Antrim Tel: 028 9446 3911
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SPREADING NI’S REPUTATION FOR PURE, NATURAL, QUALITY FOOD AND DRINK THROUGHOUT THE WORLD BY JOHN HOOD, DIRECTOR OF FOOD AND TOURISM AT INVEST NORTHERN IRELAND
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017 was a strong year in showcasing our exceptional food and drink both at home and abroad. We have continued to build on the success of 2016’s Year of Food & Drink, with local companies winning prestigious awards across all of our sectors. Northern Ireland producers achieved another fantastic total of 244 gold stars in the 2017 Great Taste awards, with Peter Hannan once again winning our local Golden Fork. Nine businesses secured wins at the Irish Quality Food Awards while, at the Blas Na hÉireann, Irish Food Awards, 35 companies collected 42 awards, including Best Artisan, Best New Product and Best in Ulster. 2017 also saw Mash Direct named the Daily Telegraph Festival of Business SME of the Year. Willowbrook Foods won the UK Fresh Produce Manufacturing Company of the Year Award and Glenarm Castle farm manager was declared the Beef Innovator of the Year at the British Farming Awards, recognising the reputation and quality of Glenarm Shorthorn Beef. Undoubtedly there are challenges ahead for Northern Ireland’s food and drink companies but our history of success shows that we have an industry of resilient, resourceful companies with exceptional products, who have the passion and commitment to succeed no matter what the future holds. Northern Ireland’s reputation for
pure, natural, quality food and drink is spreading throughout the world. We are delighted that our food and drink businesses are becoming ever more visible and ambitious in taking their products to growing world markets. Invest NI’s focus remains on helping local businesses to maximise the commercial opportunities in Great Britain and beyond. Our Business Strategy for 2017 to 2021 focuses on encouraging businesses to create jobs, invest in research and development and increase sales from outside of Northern Ireland. We are committed to helping ensure that the local agri-food industry remains competitive in global markets, in line with these corporate objectives. Our ambition is to be regarded by our customers as a trusted business partner and we will continue to help local food and drink producers to position themselves to meet the challenges ahead. We want to ensure that they are as productive and efficient as is possible and are ready to maximise opportunities. Invest NI has an expanding global network designed to support Northern Ireland businesses who are keen to explore new prospects. That, coupled with the provision of in-market expertise and resources, should help drive the local food and drink industry towards further growth in international premium markets. There is every reason for optimism and, if we work together, I believe we can achieve even more success.