Two marine companies win Bord Bia awards

Irish Atlantic Sea Salt and Glenmar Shellfish have won the Entrepreurial and Export categories respectively of the 2013 Bord Bia Food and Drinks Awards. 

The achievements and contributions of nine Irish food compapnies were recognised  for excellence within the Irish food and drink industry across seven categories: exporting, branding, entrepreneurial, succes at home, sustainability, consumer insight and innovation.

Aileen and Michael O’Neill, Irish Atlantic Sea Salt, with Bord Bia chairman Michael Carey and Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Photo Gillian Mills

Addressing the 250 representatives gathered in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Simon Coveney, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, said the companies being recognised could take pride in their achievements in growth, new business and even deeper insight into buyer needs and consumer  trends.

“At a macro level, the record €9bn exports achieved by food and drink companies in 2012 is likely to be surpassed this year, and the €12bn target in Food Harvest 2020 is in sight. 

“Together with the successful conclusion of the CAP and the CFP negotiations during the Irish presidency, this provides greater certainty for food and drink businessess seeking to expand business sustainably on the origin green journey. 

Michael Carey, Bord Bia chairman said this year’s awards coincided with the fourth successfive year of sustained growth in food and drinks exports: 

“As the industry continues to develop and expand into new and emerging markets, it is important to recognise the continued progress and achievements of the sector,” he said. 

Irish Sea Salt

Based on the Beara Peninsula, the O’Neill family has developed a range of organic, gourmet Irish sea salt products. After years of research the O’Neills have developed a very natural production process that blends age-old traditions with innovative and energy-efficient technology to create the only Irish-made white sea salt products. 

Glenmar Shellfish

Establsihed over 30 years ago to serve the export fishing industry, the company recently modernised its approach towards buying, production and selling to adjust to the changing face of the industry.

To maximse the quality of the seafood product, it invested in a new product range of prawn, monk and squid. Within 20 minutes of the catch being landed it is graded live and frozen to produce premium forzen products.