As part of their overseas expansion plans, Irish beverage firms have lined up the launch of a wide range of whiskeys, stouts and liquors in the Indian market this year. The brands include Carolans, Tullamore Dew, Wild Geese and Connemara, informed beverage experts from Ireland.
As part of the celebrations at the Irish embassy to mark St Patrick’s Day in India, beverage experts from Ireland said that the Irish double-cream high fat milk is best suited for Indian sweets. “This variety of milk works particularly well for making kheer, payasam and other milk-based sweetmeats and we are keen to promote our dairy products, especially cream and cheese in India, along with beverages,” they said.
Ronan Gillespie, a senior official with Next Step International, a US consulting firm that is promoting Ireland in India, said: ‘In 2008, Irish beverage and food exports to India stood at 20 million Euros. We are introducing three new Irish beverage brands to the Indian market this year.”
“Ireland now sees India as the key market for liquors and dairy products. We are working closely with the Embassy of Ireland in India to promote awareness about Irish food and drinks,” added Gillespie.
“The strategy is part of thrust given by the Irish food board, Board Bia, that had identified the four BRIC countries – Brazil, Russia, India and China as potential markets in 2009,” Gillespie concluded.
— IndiaRetailing Bureau
