The results of a study into the sourcing of goods by Tesco from Irish suppliers and distributors should be ready by January, the company's managing director, Mr Maurice Pratt has said.

The study is being carried out by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). Mr Pratt said this would provide a benchmark for the company and it hoped to grow the number of products sourced in Ireland.

Mr Pratt said the licence for the Premium Choice brand of products had been withdrawn by the Canadian subsidiary of Associated British Foods (ABF), and from January it would be replaced by Tesco own-brand products. He said the Premium Choice label had involved 125 products made in Ireland. All but one of these suppliers had made the grade to transfer to making goods for the Tesco own label.