Slaney Foods to Supply Certified Irish Hereford Beef to Lidl in the US
Irish beef processor Slaney Foods International has landed a deal to supply premium speciality Certified Irish Hereford beef to Lidl stores in the United States. The deal, facilitated due to Slaney’s relationship with Lidl Ireland, was actively supported by Bord Bia and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine.
“Our partnership with Lidl Ireland is very special in terms of the leverage to develop new markets for our product. 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. 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 and we look forward to the American consumer getting a taste of premium grass-fed Irish beef,” comments Rory Fanning, Managing Director of Slaney Foods.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD, comments: “This is an exciting time in the journey of Irish beef in the USA from initial access for primal cuts in 2015, to access for manufacturing beef in 2016 and the commencement of trade in manufacturing beef earlier this year. As Lidl starts the process of opening stores in the USA, today’s launch of Irish Beef to the retail market marks another key step in this journey. I would also like to pay testament to the great work being done by Slaney Foods and their own focus and commitment to quality, sustainability and producing premium grass-fed Irish beef.”
Bord Bia CEO Tara Mc Carthy says: “I am delighted that Lidl is illustrating its confidence in sustainably produced Quality Assured Irish beef in this most tangible way. Lidl Ireland as a verified member of Origin Green and as a significant exporter of Irish food and drink is a committed stakeholder of the Irish food industry. The Slaney US announcement is an exciting new chapter in our relationship with the group.”
German supermarket brand ‘Lidl’ recently opened its first 7 stores in North and South Carolina. In total, the company plans to open at least 100 stores across the East Coast by the end of 2018, creating over 5,000 new jobs.
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Pictured (left to right): Rory Fanning, MD of Slaney Foods International; Tara McCarthy, CEO of Bord Bia; and Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed.
