9 February 2023 - Flipbook - Page 56
56
Business
FARM WEEK
FARM
WEEK
NOVEMBER 23 2017
Investing in seafood industry sound business sense
O
NE of the biggest
investments in the local
food industry by a familyowned enterprise was announced
recently by the McCullough
family in Kilkeel, among the best
known and most successful fishing
businesses.
The investment involved the
development of a £30 million
vessel for fishing, especially
for mackerel and herring. It
represented a massive boost of
confidence in the local fishing and
seafood industry here. But there
is a problem facing the venture –
Kilkeel harbour does not have the
facilities needed to land fish from
their vessel, Voyager.
I had an opportunity to meet
leaders of the local industry,
including some Food NI member
companies such as SeaSource, at
an event held to highlight the work
of the campaign to secure funding
for Kilkeel at an important event
in Annalong.
Let me tie my colours to the
mast: I support the fishing and
seafood industry as it endeavours
to win business here and abroad.
It has immense potential. And
a fishmonger’s in
Kilkeel last year as
an experiment. It’s
proving to be such
a success that the
company is actively
considering other
locations including
Belfast. The shop
By MICHELE SHIRLOW offers a huge
Chief Executive selection of freshly
of Food NI landed fish and
seafood.
I’d certainly wish to see more
SeaSource is also
opportunities here for local
a major supplier to Ewing’s on the
people to enjoy our nutritious and
Shankill Road in Belfast as well
world-class fish and seafood. I
as restaurants such as Longs,
remember top celebrity chef Jean
also in the city. Other Food NI
Christophe Novelli celebrating the
members such as The Harbour Inn
quality of our seafood during his
in Annalong with Chef Trevor Orr
participation at our Food Pavilion
showcase great seafood, as does
at Balmoral last year.
Brunel’s in Newcastle with Chef
There was a time when there
Paul Cunningham.
when a fishmonger’s shop with
Keenan’s in Belfast has been
locally-landed produce was to be
commissioned by Tesco to operate
found in most parts of Northern
the fish counter at one of its
Ireland. Times are changing.
biggest stores.
Encouragingly, more people are
Back to County Down, where
now seeking fish and seafood
I was delighted to accept an
because of health and nutrition
invitation to a dinner organised by
trends.
the group behind the campaign to
Our member Sea Source opened
secure significant investment in
FOOD for
thought
what is our most important fishing
hub. There are now encouraging
indications that their efforts
could soon produce benefits
for this immensely important
industry, an investment which will
enable Voyager and other pelagic
trawlers to land fish for processing
at the harbour.
The projected expansion of
the outer harbour will lead to
developments in processing
there and create hundreds of
new job opportunities and not
only in fishing. Kilkeel has a
strong base in processing and
scope to attract investment in
further manufacturing operations.
In addition, the harbour has
developed offshore initiatives in
key activities as wind turbines. It
is becoming an important marine
engineering hub.
Significant investment at Kilkeel,
I am sure, would have substantial
spin-off benefits for other County
Down ports such as Annalong and
Portavogie and indeed the entire
seafood industry here. It is really
encouraging to see the industry
working together to take forward
such aspiring campaigns.
Invest NI expands international
network
in Sydney
I
NVEST Northern Ireland is to increase its
presence in Australia with a new Regional
Manager to be based in Sydney.
The announcement came as Invest NI’s
Chief Executive Alastair Hamilton led a
trade mission to Australia from November
13-17.
The trade mission included 13 companies
from a number of leading Northern Ireland
sectors including ICT, Advanced Manufacturing
& Engineering and Life & Health Sciences.
Speaking from the opening of the new office,
Mr Hamilton said: “The Australian market
offers Northern Ireland companies exciting
opportunities to grow their exports.
“The latest figures from HMRC show that in
the 12 months between July 2016 and June 2017
NI manufacturing exports to the Asia Pacific
region increased by 19 per cent to £761 million
with exports to Australia accounting for £105
million of this.
“Northern Ireland companies, including
Mallaghan Engineering, Mivan Marine, CDE
Global and NC Engineering are great examples
of companies already successfully exporting to
this region.
ABOVE: Michael Ward, British Consul General and Director General UK Trade & Investment Australia and
New Zealand, Peter Hendrikssen, and Alastair Hamilton, Invest NI, in Sydney.
“To build on this and support our businesses
in this market we are opening a new office in
Sydney.”
This is the eighth location to be announced
as part of Invest NI’s commitment to expand
its international presence to help companies to
grow exports.
“I am delighted to welcome Peter
Hendrikssen, our new Regional Manager who
will be based at the British Consulate-General
in Sydney.
“Peter will have a specific focus on helping
our businesses to increase exports across
Australia and New Zealand.
“He will also play an integral role in
supporting our strategy to support companies
to increase sales outside Northern Ireland by
up to £3.1 billion by 2021,” he added.
The Australian trade mission visited
Sydney and Melbourne with representatives
from Botanica International, Cirdan Imaging
Ltd, Core Systems, Foods Connected Ltd,
FSL Electronics, Glens of Antrim Potatoes,
Maximus Crushing & Screening, McCloskey
Washing Systems, Mivan Marine, Sixty-5,
Mallaghan, Ulster Weavers Ltd and Terex.
UU bids to address skills gap in agri-food industry
From page 55
and agri-food sector employees
to think and act in a more
entrepreneurial way.”
Professor Kennedy recently
addressed a group of small
business owners at his inaugural
lecture in Belfast. He said: “The
global food and agribusiness
industry is experiencing
transformational changes.
“Ulster University’s new
Centre for Agri-Food Business
Development is designed to
provide the necessary education,
skill-sets, research and resources
in this challenging environment.
“From farm to fork, the
centre will offer partnerships
between government, industry
and academia, sparking an
innovative and a well-prepared
workforce to lead in this dynamic
marketplace.”
The Entrepreneur in Residence
role is one of five new roles
being created to support the new
centre. Ulster University Business
School has plans to recruit four
more professors in the area
of agri-food business to help
support its work.
Where to look
for local artisan
products
F
ABULOUS home-made foods
to take-away are available
from specialty deli and
gourmet food shops.
BELFAST:
Arcadia, 378 Lisburn Road.
Yellow Door, 427 Lisburn Road.
Sawers Deli, Fountain Centre,
College Street.
Swantons Gourmet Foods, Lisburn
Road.
St George’s Food Market,
Oxford Street,
Every Saturday and Sunday; 8am2pm.
COUNTY ANTRIM:
Ballylagan Organic Farm Shop, 12
Ballylagan Road, Straid.
Barr’s Deli, Ballymoney Street,
Ballymena.
Montgomery’s Ballymoney Street,
Ballymena.
Jackson’s Butchers and Bakery,
Main Street, Ballynure.
Park Deli, Ballycastle.
Templepatrick Market
Fourth Sunday; 11am-6pm.
COUNTY ARMAGH:
Chapman’s Deli and Farm Shop,
Dobbin Road, Portadown.
Forthill Farm Shop, 80 Ballymore
Road, Tandragee.
John R Dowey and Son, 20 High
Street, Lurgan.
Yellow Door Deli & Patisserie,
Portadown.
John Mitchell Place Market,
Fridays.
COUNTY LONDONDERRY:
Walled City Market, Guildhall
Square, First Saturday; 10am4pm
Culdrum Organic Farm, 31a
Ballylintagh Road, Aghadowey.
Ditty’s Home Bakery, Main Street,
Castledawson and Rainey Street,
Magherafelt.
JC Stewarts, Rainey Street,
Magherafelt.
Culmore Organic Farm, Culmore
House, 54 Bann Road, Kilrea.
COUNTY DOWN:
Churchtown Organic Farm Shop,
Strangford.
Harrison’s Farm Shop, Ballybryan
Road, Greyabbey.
Heatherlea, Main Street, Bangor
and Strandtown, Belfast.
Helen’s Bay Organic Farm, 23
Seaview Terrace, Helen’s Bay.
McCartney’s, Main Street, Moira.
McKee’s Country Store, 28
Holywood Road, Newtownards.
Meat Merchant, Kilmore Industrial
Estate, Moira
Orr’s, Main Street, Holywood.
Pheasant’s Hill Farm Shop, 37
Killyleagh Road, Downpatrick.
Quail’s Fine Foods, Newry Street,
Banbridge.
The Upper Square (Market)
Every second Saturday; 10am1pm.
COUNTY FERMANAGH:
MacNean Farm, Belcoo,
Enniskillen
O’Doherty’s Fine Meats, 3
Belmore Street, Enniskillen.
COUNTY TYRONE:
Cloughbane Farm Shop 160
Tanderagee Road, Pomeroy
Deli on the Green, Moygashel,
Dungannon.
Market, Tesco's Car Park, First
Saturday;
8.30am-1pm.
Canal Basin Market,
Last Saturday; 10am-2pm