Home dining compensates for closure of restaurants, say IFA

AN increase in people dining at home has compensated ‘somewhat’ for the closure of the restaurant trade and much of the food service sector due to the COVID-19 emergency, according to the IFA.

However, Seán Dennehy, IFA National Sheep Chairman, said that the turmoil on the meat markets as a result of the COVID-19 crisis was having an impact on the sheep trade.

He pointed out that it was critical to keep the supply chain operational and farmers needed to continue to observe and implement the strict protocols in place.

“The closure of the restaurants and food service sector has been somewhat compensated for by a stronger retail trade, with many more people eating at home.

“To-date this year, we have processed 100,000 more lambs than this time last year and demand will increase for Easter on the weekend of April 12th and Ramadan on April 23rd,” said Seán Dennehy.

He added that this is the time of year when supplies were at their lowest with the domestic market now the most important one.

Mr. Dennehy said that based on the impact of the restrictions and lockdowns across the EU, it was clear that Agriculture Minister, Michael Creed, would have to make a strong case for the EU Commission to step in to support – both the trade and farmers – at ‘this extremely difficult time’.