Weekly Round Up, 26 April, 2016

By Publications Checkout
Weekly Round Up, 26 April, 2016

Bord Bia brought together over 100 Iranian food buyers with 17 Irish food exporters for a seminar and series of one-to-one business meetings in Tehran yesterday. The event was part of an Irish food industry trade mission to Iran. The Irish companies attended a seminar on doing business in Iran, with presentations from local banking, legal, retail and dairy industry experts, while Iranian buyers were briefed on Ireland’s reputation for premium food production, and the sustainability initiative Origin Green.

UCD and UCC researchers have partnered in creating Foodbook24, a web-based tool designed to record Ireland’s daily nutritional habits. Foodbook24 users will contribute vital nutritional research by listing the food they eat every day, and in return, get advice on their diet from experts. "The tool will act as a cost effective way to gather food and nutrient intake in between the large nutrition surveys that occur every ten years in Ireland," said lead researcher Dr. Eileen Gibney.

NAMA is expected to begin work on the expansion of the Gateway Retail Park in Knocknacarra, Co. Galway next year, which will see the development of new retail units, restaurant, and a healthcare facility. ConnachtTribune.ie reports that receivers working on behalf of NAMA have indicated that the work will be complete by January 2019.

Dairy and feed co-op Arrabawn has signed a gas supply contract worth €2 million per year with energy company Vayu Energy. The agreement will see Vayu supply Arrabawn with natural gas for its dairy ingredients manufacturing facility in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. Vayu will also provide Arrabawn with risk management tools and a reporting solution to track the energy performance at its facility in real time.

Owner of high street fashion brand, Burton, Evans and Topshop, Arcadia Group saw turnover fall by 10% in the year ending August 2015. According to IrishTimes.com, the retailer blamed “extremely difficult’ trading conditions for the decline, in which it recorded a €2.2 million pre tax loss.

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'Significant optimisation work' has taken place at Glanbia Ingredients Ireland’s Belview, Co. Kilkenny plant. Agriland.ie says the work has been done to ensure the production of infant formula grade milk powders at the facility this year. The Belview site completed its first season in October of last year having processed 311 million litres of milk.

Natrium, the consortium that bought the Clerys store in Dublin, is reportedly trying to encourage Apple to open a flagship outlet on the ground floor of the site. IrishTimes.com says it is understood that Natrium has held multiple discussions with Apple over several months, however no deal has been agreed to, and the technology giant has not confirmed plans to open a Dublin store.

Kerry Group has won its eight year court battle to acquire Breeo Foods for a reported €140 million. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission announced the conclusion of a challenge taken by the Competition Authority in 2008 against the acquisition of Breeo Foods last week, says Agriland.ie.

The latest Wholesale Energy Market Report published by Vayu Energy reveals that Irish wholesale gas prices have nearly halved in the last year. The report shows that there was a 45% drop in average gas prices between April 2015 and the same month this year, while there was a 6% fall in the last month alone.

Bord Iascagh Mhara is looking to hire consultants to develop a strategic innovation plan for the Irish seafood sector, says The Sunday Business Post.  Tender documents recently published by the seafood development agency noted that consumers around the world are recognising the benefits of seafood, and added that there is a need to differentiate Irish seafood products from those of lower-cost producers.

© 2016 - Checkout Magazine

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