Minister Smith Opens New Bord Bia Office In New York

The office is located in central Manhattan in the same building as the Irish Consulate, and other Government agencies such as Enterprise Ireland and Tourism Ireland and will ensure a fully joined up and synergistic relationship between all Irish Government agencies operating in the region.

Speaking at the opening of the Bord Bia office, he said his visit to a number of US cities had been very productive and valuable.

He said he had met at the highest level with both Irish based US companies and US Food Companies with major operations in Ireland, including some of the largest US Food Companies with the potential for further investment in Ireland.

He also met with a number of smaller companies who are actively looking at Ireland as a location for new investment.

Minister Smith said that the value of Ireland-US trade could not be understated when one considers that, last year, Ireland enjoyed a healthy trade surplus for agri-food products of almost €188 million with the US.

Indeed, Irish agri-food exports to the US last year were worth €440 million, of which beverages along with dairy products accounted for almost 90% of the value of Irish exports.

On Monday, Minister Smith visited with Kerry Foods, which employs approximately 22,000 people across 40 countries, including North America.

The Minister also met with representatives of Glanbia who recently acquired a significant presence in the US through Optimum Nutrition, which has three operating facilities in the US.

A meeting was also held with the Irish Dairy Board, which is now one of Ireland's biggest exporters and a major food distribution company in overseas markets, with a presence in the US for almost 25 years.

In Chicago, Minister met with Socius Ingredients, partners to Lakeland Dairies and Synergy Flavours partners of Carbery. There is clear evidence of the internationalisation of Irish food companies and of their ability to compete with the best on the world market.