Over 300 international food and beverage buyers are expected to attend Bord Bia’s Marketplace International 2012 which will soon take place in Dublin.
The buyers, which include representatives from retail; foodservice; convenience; on-line; wholesale; catering; distribution and manufacturing channels, will have the opportunity to meet with over 175 Irish branded and private label suppliers during 3,500 pre-scheduled meetings taking place throughout the day.
In addition, The Irish suppliers at Bord Bia’s Marketplace International 2012 will represent a broad range of categories including meat, seafood, dairy, ready meals, horticulture, beverages, confectionery, snacks and cereals. Bord Bia is aiming to secure €15m in new business from the one-day event.
During Marketplace International 2012, Bord Bia will showcase its comprehensive global trends and insight research carried out over the last two years. Through the ‘World of Insights’ zone, buyers will have an opportunity to see the six key lifestyle trends in action – trends that will shape consumer thoughts, aspirations and buying patterns in the global marketplace over the coming year.
Bord Bia has identified six consumer lifestyles trends that resonate today and give strong indications of what the next three to five years will entail beyond the recession. The trends have been identified through an understanding of the macro forces shaping the lives of consumers around the world such as social, technological, economic, environmental and political factors and from an understanding of the on-the-ground consumer and brand behavior that occurs in response to these drivers. They are supported by empirical evidence including a quantitative study covering 22 markets and 80% of global GDP and on the ground views from over 46 cities in every continent of the world.
Ireland’s food and drink exports in 2011 are expected to reach a new all time high of €8.9bn, an increase of more than 12%, or almost €1bn, on 2010 levels. This follows growth of €700m in 2010 leaving Ireland’s food exports in 2011 some 25% ahead of 2009 levels.
Bord Bia’s London team will organise a variety of events and activities throughout the year to continue introducing UK buyers to the cream of Irish producers and to assist with research and sourcing projects.
Source: talkingretail – Irish food industry welcomes the return of Bord Bia’s Marketplace International 2012
