A month after Irish beef officially went on sale in America, two Irish companies have beef across the Atlantic Ocean.

The Irish Farmers Journal can exclusively reveal that ABP has sent its first consignment of beef to America. The shipment was sent last week and received clearance from US customs on Wednesday. It will be delivered to distribution partner Sysco on Thursday before making its way into 12 New York restaurants in time for the weekend.

Irish beef from ABP’s Clones plant was also used on Capitol Hill in Washington this week during the State visit of An Taoiseach Enda Kenny to America.

Between Enterprise Ireland and Ireland Investment Fund events in Washington, in the region of 1,000 dignitaries had Irish beef in America this week. It was also used during An Taoiseach’s visit to the White House on St Patrick’s Day.

New Jersey distributor

Earlier this week, the Foyle Group sent beef from its Donegal facility out to New Jersey-based distributor Amboy Group.

Amboy distributes beef to major retailers, such as Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Wegman’s, ShopRite, Loblaw’s, Kroger, Costco and others.

Meanwhile, the Irish Farmers Journal understands that Dawn Meats’ facility in Charleville, Co Cork, is close to securing US Department of Agriculture (USDA) approval to send Irish beef to America.

Neither Dawn Meats nor the Irish Department of Agriculture were able to provide comment on whether the USDA has given full approval.

Earlier this month, the Irish Farmers Journal reported that Kepak was close to agreeing a deal with a US distributor for Irish beef.