The Italian connection

- Published: 25 June, 2007

Northern Irish processors are looking to Italy for business, following a recent trade visit by buyers from some of the leading Italian retail chains and meat importers, including Co-op Italia, who visited Belfast for around 100 one-on-one meetings wi

th 13 local lamb and beef processors.

Enterprise minister Nigel Dodds said: "I am confident that our meat processing industry can offer the delegation premium quality and innovative products that will readily find a place on Italian tables. Collectively, the buying power of the Italian visitors is substantial and presents a major new export

opportunity for an important manufacturing sector here."

Among those over from Italy were: leading meat importer and broker Giraudi; Vercelli, which provides veal to caterers and retailers; the Veneto-region based importer Rosa Carni; and VIP Catering,based in Cervia.