Nineteen food and drink businesses from the North are participating this week in a two-day cross-border trade mission (1st – 3rd July) to Dublin, as part of InterTradeIreland’s ‘Trade Missions @ Home’ initiative.
The Food and Drink sector is a key contributor to cross-border trade, generating €3.2 billion in 2024 and offering significant opportunities for market expansion across the island of Ireland.
The ‘Trade Missions @ Home’ initiative directly connects businesses with key industry representatives, including buyers from leading multiple retailers, to foster these cross-border connections and accelerate sales growth. On the visit, the participating businesses are attending pre-arranged sales meetings to fast-track their growth efforts.
During the trade mission, Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald delivered an address at a breakfast networking event for participants in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire. Welcoming the aims of the cross-border trade initiative, she said:
A priority for the Executive is to grow a globally competitive and sustainable economy. To achieve this, we need to grow our global exports, while ensuring the all-island economy is strong enough to withstand global headwinds.
We know that businesses which export cross-border are more productive, more profitable and employ more people. We also know that the majority of businesses that begin their export journey in the cross-border market tend to go on to export globally.
InterTradeIreland’s ‘Trade Mission @ Home programme’ in Dublin will support nineteen of our businesses on this journey and I commend them for their work in continuing to smooth the path for our businesses to engage, explore, and succeed.
Dr Caoimhe Archibald, Economy Minister
Also, speaking at the event, Enterprise Minister Peter Burke said:
I welcome the efforts of InterTradeIreland as part of its ‘Trade Missions @ Home’ initiative to empower small businesses by helping them to make important cross-border connections to unlock their export potential. I look forward to continued collaboration with Minister Archibald and between officials of our respective Departments to maximise all-island trade opportunities and contributing to the growth of the economies of both jurisdictions.
Peter Burke, Enterprise Minister
Colin McCabrey, Director of Trade at InterTradeIreland, commented:
InterTradeIreland connects businesses to opportunities across the island – we’re focused on helping businesses to obtain the right advice and support to export and accelerate their sales growth, particularly those within the thriving food and drink sector.
Our 'Trade Missions @Home' initiative offers businesses up to five days of specialised mentoring and sales coaching, with a minimum of four sales opportunities, to help them realise their export potential. Not only can it drive long-term sustainable success for these businesses, but it is also an important catalyst for further cross-border trading and economic development across the entire island of Ireland.
Colin McCabrey, Director of Trade at InterTradeIreland
Annie Irwin, Co-Founder and Director of Suki Tea, a proudly Fairtrade, Organic, and certified B Corp business from Co. Antrim is participating in the trade mission. She said:
Taking part in cross-border trade missions gives Suki Tea the opportunity to access new markets, build valuable partnerships, and showcase the quality of our hand-crafted blend. We appreciate the support and mentorship provided, especially in setting up key meetings. This guidance has been instrumental in helping us grow brand awareness throughout Ireland.
Annie Irwin, Co-Founder and Director of Suki Tea, a proudly Fairtrade, Organic, and certified B Corp business from Co. Antrim
The 19 participating businesses on the trade mission hosted by InterTradeIreland are from a variety of counties across the North.
- Big Pot Company Ltd from Co. Tyrone
- Blackbox Donuts Ltd, Bro38 Ltd, Feedwell Dog Food, McWhinney’s Sausages, Moon Gelato, Premiere Poultry Ltd, and Rademon Estate Distillery Ltd (trading as Shortcross Gin) from Co. Down
- Boucher Deli Co Ltd (trading as Bolt Deli), Bullhouse Brewing Company, Dougies Goodies Bakery, Fred C Robinson, Irish Black Butter, and Suki Tea Makers from Co. Antrim
- Northbound Brewery Ltd and The Chocolate Manor from Co. Derry
- Erin Grove Preserves and X-Cel Fitness from Co. Fermanagh
- Long Meadow Cider from Co. Armagh
InterTradeIreland’s ‘Trade Missions @ Home’ directly facilitates cross-border sales meetings between businesses and potential buyers. The next trade mission will take place in the Autumn, when up to 20 export ready SMEs from the Agri-Tech and Agri-Manufacturing sector will participate in a cross-border trade mission to Co. Armagh.
You can find out more about the cross-border opportunities available to businesses here.
