Six Irish food and drink companies are hoping to break into the €102 billion Scandinavian market, thanks to the help of the Access 6 export programme.

Access 6, a € 2.2million EU funded export programme, offers Irish companies access to the lucrative Scandinavian market, and this year six companies have been selected to participate in the programme: Derrycamma Rapeseed Oil, Ferdia Fine Foods, Gallaghers Bakery, Nutri Snax, Rangeland Foods, and Shalvey Poultry.

While remaining a traditional market with a focus on frozen and convenience foods, the last decade has seen Scandinavia opening up to imported food influences and products. Total Irish food imports to the Nordic region reached € 257 million in 2012 – a figure that Access 6 partners hope to build upon.

Following a launch at the Irish Embassy in Stockholm hosted by the Irish Ambassador to Sweden, H.E. Mr James Joseph Carroll, Access 6 companies also participated in a 'study tour' which has given them an insight into the market enabling them to groom their own products to meet consumer tastes in Sweden, Denmark and Norway.