Slaney Foods carves out major new deal in the US

COUNTY Wexford-based Slaney Foods International have landed a major deal to supply premium speciality Irish Hereford beef to stores in the United States, and comes on the back of plans for the company’s product lines to be sold widely through Europe.

The deal, facilitated due to the Bunclody company’s relationship with Lidl Ireland, was actively supported by Bord Bia and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine and comes as Irish beef secures a USDA seal of approval after three years of engagement between Bord Bia and the USDA.

‘Our partnership with Lidl Ireland is very special in terms of the leverage to develop new markets for our product,’ said Rory Fanning, managing director of Slaney Foods International.

‘On a weekly basis we export to Lidl Denmark and we will have lines on the shelves of Lidl in Sweden, Belgium, Slovenia, Romania, Cyprus, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic this summer,’ said Mr Fanning.

‘Our relationship grew from humble beginnings, but Lidl was quick to spot the potential to further develop one of Ireland’s premium food products, grass-fed Irish beef. We’ve been very grateful for the support from Lidl, Bord Bia and the Department of Agriculture in helping open up the U.S. market to us,’ he said. The decision on the US deal of approval ensures that Irish Beef sold in the USA from Bord Bia approved plants can now carry the USDA shield and provide a further guarantee to US buyers and consumers that the claims Bord Bia makes are validated by their own national authority.

In the wake of Brexit, and a challenging beef export market, news of the new markets is welcome news for the Irish beef industry.