What impact has the devaluation of sterling had on your business?

The UK, while important to us, is not a massive market for the company. There is a certain amount of industry trading of surplus and second-quality eggs but this has traditionally been supply/demand based, meaning currency fluctuations have not had a huge effect so far.

How have you developed markets outside the EU?

In 2013, we began looking at export markets, but this was going to be a challenge as we had never exported before and certainly not outside the EU. European markets are generally self-sufficient in egg production and retailers prefer their supply chains short. This led us to look to the Middle East. After finding initial success in the UAE, we began supplying retailers in Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Saudi Arabia since 2015.

What markets do you see with the greatest growth potential?

The quality of Irish food is admired around the world. For us, the Middle East has the most potential for our free-range and organic products as they can’t be produced. When entering a new country, research is absolutely key as you need to be confident there’s a market for your products. Accreditations such as being a member of Love Irish Food and the Bord Bia Quality Assured Schemes are well known among international buyers.

Why is poultry production so successful in the border areas?

Monaghan farmers have had to be entrepreneurial as local land is not really suitable for large-scale tillage or livestock. There was a need to find an alternative source of income and poultry production filled that need. Poultry imports have an impact but indigenous businesses are supported as more customers want to buy Irish. In a market where costs are high, innovation is key. You have to give people a reason to choose your product and your brand.

Have you seen cost-inflation pressure in your business in the last number of years?

We’re seeing increases in insurance costs, while major costs such as feed are always prone to sudden adverse movements.

How do you agree price contracts with your local suppliers?

We usually base price agreements with suppliers around feed price movements. We have many longstanding relationships with our producers, some for over 30 years.