Ulster beef leads way to Europe

29 April 1999

Ulster beef leads way to Europe

NORTHERN Ireland beef processor Granville Meats is paving the way for British companies back into the European beef market.

The company has made a significant deal with Albert Heijn, a Dutch supermarkets company, reports the Financial Times.

The buyer was a good customer of Granville prior to the beef ban, but since March 1996 has relied on domestic Dutch beef and Argentine exports.

Northern Ireland relied on sales outside the province for 80% of its beef production before the ban.

It exported almost half the £411 million of finished beef to European markets.

Granville exports about 9% of its output, or less than 10 tonnes a week, compared with 70% of 120 tonnes before the ban.

All sales go to the price sensitive wholesale and caterers market.

The Northern Ireland company is expected to ship boneless beef, trimmed to Albert Heijns specifications.

• Financial Times 29/04/99 page 11