MINISTER FOR Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin yesterday welcomed a commitment by supermarket giant Aldi to source more products from Ireland, stressing that consumers wanted to see large numbers of native products on the shelves of large supermarket chains.
Speaking at the turning of the sod ceremony on the construction of Aldi Stores Ireland’s €100 million distribution centre and office facility at Mitchelstown, Co Cork, Mr Martin said he was confident consumers would continue to call for the sourcing of increased numbers of Irish products in supermarkets.
Reacting to reports that Tesco’s shelves are increasingly filled with British imports, Mr Martin said shoppers would put pressure on the multiples to stock popular native products such as Barry’s Tea. “People want to see Irish products on the shelves and I think ultimately the multiples will respond to that consumer requirement.”
Mr Martin cited as “very important” Aldi’s commitment to sourcing Irish supplies, particularly in the fresh meat and poultry sector.
“Economic recovery is going to be about export-oriented growth. For that to happen, the first opportunity for Irish companies, particular in the food area, is through quality and proper standards [they] get on the shelves of major global players like Aldi. Therefore, I welcome the fact that they have that opportunity here and ultimately may be able to get on the shelves globally. That has happened in relation to other chains.”
Donald MacKay, managing director of Aldi Stores Ireland, said the discount chain planned to open a further 35 stores throughout the country over the next three years. The group says these new shops will employ an additional 490 people.
Mr MacKay said Aldi was unique among discount grocers in Ireland in operating an Irish buying department which sources products from local suppliers. Over 40 per cent of grocery sales at Aldi are products sourced from established Irish suppliers, which include Bewleys, Irish Yogurts and Odlums.
Irish suppliers are also providing a number of products for sale in the supermarket’s international businesses. Mr MacKay said he was particularly pleased to be able to announce the creation of 160 new jobs at the Mitchelstown Distribution Centre. The construction of the facility will also create over 400 building jobs.
The 56,905 sq m facility will support Aldi’s growth throughout Ireland, primarily serving its stores in Munster. Construction of the facility will take 22 months to complete with plans to open in early 2011. The distribution centre is to be built adjacent to the town’s western relief road on a 32-acre site which Aldi purchased from Dairygold.
Mr MacKay said the turning of the sod in Mitchelstown was a milestone in Aldi’s €350 million expansion programme in Ireland.
“We have opened eight new stores. We will open a further nine stores this year and we plan to open 35 stores over three years and that is well on track.”
Aldi started operations in Ireland in 1999 and now has more than 50 stores here.
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