The undisclosed deal is estimated by RTE news to be worth about €3m over five years, and replaces UK supplies of bacon to McDonald’s Ireland.
“This deal is a significant vote of confidence in the Irish agri-food sector,” said Simon Coveney, Irish agriculture minister, speaking at the announcement earlier this week. “While this contract is to supply McDonald’s Ireland for now, there may be potential to supply McDonald’s Europe, which is further good news.”
Based in Thurles, Co Tipperary, Dew Valley is an independent processor employing 250 staff, and is to supply the McDonald’s with around nine million pieces of bacon per year.
“Dew Valley prides itself on its ability to supply 100% Irish bacon from Bord Bía quality-assured farms,” said Jack Blake, owner and director of Dew Valley. “We are delighted to secure this contract and partner with McDonald’s, a globally recognised brand and we hope that it will open new doors of opportunity for the company in overseas markets.”
Among McDonald’s lines using bacon are its Bacon and Egg McMuffin, Bacon Roll, Quarter Pounder Deluxe, Big Tasty and Chicken Bacon Onion.
A spokesman for McDonald’s, which also sources all of its beef, eggs and dairy produce sold through Irish outlets from Irish suppliers, said Dew Valley had demonstrated quality and reliability in its ability to meet McDonald’s high standards.
The US chain said it invested €283.7m in the Irish economy on food, restaurants and labour costs in 2011, and exported €110m of Irish beef for its international operations.