Supermarket group said it has secured €10m in new contract wins for four Irish suppliers
Tesco said it is ‘proud to champion Irish products’. Photo: PA
Irish food and drink exports into Tesco’s international store network have surpassed €900m annually, as the retailer deepens its sourcing relationships with domestic suppliers.
The supermarket group said it has secured €10m in new contract wins for four Irish suppliers, enabling them to supply products into its UK and central European operations.
These markets include stores across the United Kingdom, Czechia, Hungary and Slovakia, where Irish products are now stocked in thousands of outlets.
The latest agreements build on existing supplier relationships with Tesco Ireland and form part of a broader expansion of Irish food exports through the retailer’s international network, it said.
Tesco Ireland said Irish suppliers continue to play a central role across the wider group, which purchases about €1.6bn worth of Irish food and drink each year.
Their success reflects the strength of Ireland’s food industry
Several Irish producers have increased their presence significantly over the past year.
Cork-based Folláin expanded its footprint from 180 to 750 Tesco stores.
Keohane Seafoods has grown distribution of its Tesco Finest range to more than 500 UK stores, while Wexford’s Killowen Farm now supplies five yoghurt products to 650 UK outlets.
Bandon Vale, also based in Cork, has expanded its reach into Central Europe and now supplies 750 Tesco stores across the region, including locations in Czechia, Slovakia and Hungary.
The expansion reflects continued demand for Irish dairy products in overseas markets, it said.
“Irish suppliers are playing an increasingly important role in bringing high-quality Irish food to customers across the UK and Europe,” Tesco Ireland CEO Geoff Byrne said.
“Their success reflects the strength of Ireland’s food industry and our shared ambition to help Irish producers grow confidently in international markets.
“As the world’s biggest retail buyer of Irish food and drink, we’re proud to champion Irish products to consumers at home and overseas,” Mr Byrne added.
The success of Tesco Ireland’s suppliers is a testament to the standards of Irish produce, said Bord Bia CEO Jim O’Toole.
“These achievements reflect Ireland’s growing global reputation and highlight the strength of the partnerships that continue to drive sustainable growth for Irish food and drink internationally,” Mr O’Toole said.
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