Latest food and drinks figures are very encouraging - Gildernew

Minister Michelle Gildernew MP, MLA has praised the latest figures on the performance of the local food and drinks processing sector.

The figures were published in the report, ‘Size and Performance of the NI Food and Drinks Processing Sector, Subsector Statistics 2007, with provisional estimates for 2008’ on 30 October 2009.

Discussing the figures, the Minister said: “The increase in turnover between 2007 and 2008 is very encouraging and illustrates how robust the local food and drinks sector is. This is very encouraging, particularly given the economic climate and the impact of the recession upon business performance more generally. The figures illustrate that the food and drinks processing sector is well placed to weather the current economic downturn better than other sectors. These figures also demonstrate that the food and drinks processing sector is a most valuable asset to the north’s manufacturing industry and economy.”

The Minister continued: “The strong growth in gross turnover in the food and drinks processing sector in both 2007 and 2008 was in part due to increasing commodity prices at the global level. However, the initiatives and work undertaken by my Department have undoubtedly helped contribute to the success of the sector. For example, through allocating over £5million of targeted grant assistance through the Agricultural and Forestry Processing and Marketing Grant Scheme. This funding has helped local food and drinks processing businesses to expand and improve their economic performance.

“Furthermore, the work undertaken by my Department at CAFRE’s Loughry campus has also been of significance to the sector. Loughry campus provides a number of specialised foundation and honours degree food programmes that have been developed to meet the needs of employers in the food industry. Loughry graduates have a reputation for excellence based on practical ability, resulting in a highly skilled pool of employees for local food and drinks processing businesses.”

Looking to the future, the Minister concluded: “The food and drinks processing sector continues to play a key role in our economy and I am confident that as we come out of the current recession, it will grasp the emerging opportunities and move from strength to strength.”

Notes to editors:

1. This press release relates to the annual report “Size and Performance of the NI Food and Drinks Processing Sector, Subsector Statistics 2007, with provisional estimates for 2008.”
2. The report and time-series data from 1989 – 2007/2008, may be downloaded free of charge from the DARD website.
3. If a hard copy of the report is required, it may be obtained, price £6 including postage and packaging, from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Policy and Economics Division, Room 656, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast BT4 3SB.
4. All media enquiries should be directed to the DARD Press Office on 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.