Colin Ferguson, Head of Sales at White’s Oats said the company was seeking to build on the momentum of its debut at the 2025 show, which delivered new partnerships and commercial opportunities.

“White’s is seeking to demonstrate its capability and capacity as an innovative partner within the growing oat market,” said Colin.

“Our presence at the show in 2025 led to new international partnerships within the burgeoning global oat market and supported by recent investment in our new manufacturing facility in Co. Armagh.

“The team is excited to be returning to PLMA for a second year. It is an important platform for connecting with existing partners across the retail and foodservice sector and plays a key role in supporting our growth ambitions with new buyers and prospects.”

White’s returns to PLMA with strong investment headwinds and an innovative pipeline of customer-led products. Its portfolio spans traditional porridge oats, organic oats alongside high-growth formats including fibre and protein oats, real-fruit porridges and gluten-free ranges, with further development underway in steel-cut oats and muesli, aligned to evolving customer needs.

Oats are no longer seen as simply a breakfast staple used in porridge oats, reflecting the rising shift towards healthier dietary choices both in and out of the home and the strong market outlook. With the growing awareness surrounding the health benefits of oats, including fibre and protein, the oats market is forecasted to continue to grow at over 6% CAGR over the next five years to 2031.

Each product is developed in close collaboration with customers and consumers, combining deep technical expertise, consumer insights and a focus on commercial success across multiple markets. Building on strong engagement from last year’s show, White’s is now focused on deepening partnerships and converting new opportunities into long-term growth.

PLMA 2026 will also mark the first public reveal of White’s corporate rebrand, a confident step forward reflecting its focus on partnership, innovation and long-term growth, while remaining rooted in its oat heritage. The refreshed visual identity comes at a pivotal time for the business, following significant investment in increased capacity and capability to support future expansion.

“PLMA is a key platform for White’s to connect with partners across the private label and branded sectors and support our growth ambitions,” added Colin.

“With 185 years of experience in oats and oat milling, we combine heritage with technical know-how and the ability to deliver commercially relevant solutions at pace.

“Private label continues to evolve, and customers are looking for partners who understand category dynamics, respond quickly to market trends and deliver consistent quality at scale, and that is where White’s has built a strong reputation.

White’s Oats will exhibit at PLMA World of Private Label, RAI Amsterdam, hall 14.M35 from 19^th to 20^th May as part of the Invest Northern Ireland showcase. Retailers and brands are invited to meet the team to explore new opportunities across private label oat and cereal categories.

The post White’s set to bring proven oat innovation to PLMA 2026 first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

High in fibre with no additives, flavourings or preservatives, White’s Oaty Bars are made from just five, all-natural ingredients.

Available now in Tesco, Spar and ViVO stores across Northern Ireland and will be available in Bob & Berts coffee shops in early 2025.

Co. Armagh based White’s Oats, Ireland’s largest oat miller and cereal producer, is entering the ambient on-the-go snack category with a new soft-baked Oaty Bar made from its award-winning, high quality Irish oats.

The new product sees White’s first major launch into the healthy snacking category, catering for the evolving needs of its consumers. Offering a tasty and wholesome snack experience, the bar is ideal for consumers looking for an oats-on-the-go offering.

Speaking on the launch Danielle McBride, Marketing Manager, White’s Oats said: “At White’s we are committed to providing high quality products that deliver on nutrition and taste and suit our customer’s busy lifestyles.

“Our new Oaty Bars are made using all-natural Irish butter and contain over 50% wholegrain oats, making it easier than ever to enjoy a great tasting, naturally energising snack that will leave that hungry feeling fading fast.

“Each bar has only five, all-natural ingredients, with no additives, flavourings or preservatives. It’s the perfect choice for those rushed mornings, as a mid-morning boost or an afternoon pick me up.” Danielle continued.

Available in a 45g Bar, containing 196 calories and over 3g of fibre and protein.

Sold in a single pack, White’s Oaty Bars are available now in Tesco, Spar and ViVO stores across Northern Ireland. They will be launching in Bob & Bert coffee shops early 2025.

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In our February-March issue, NR champions the cream of the NI crop, continuously striving to meet consumer demand.

As consumers become increasingly more aware of the benefits of buying local produce, so has the focus of retailers on ensuring they have the best of Northern Irish and Irish produce on their shelves. The advantages are two-fold as it also encourages a further focus on sustainability.

The need for local has only been emphasised in the last number of years, with Brexit, covid, the Ukraine war and issues around the Red Sea shipping crisis changing how we view the supply of food and how we supply food.

Indeed, recent rises in potato prices in supermarkets represent wider issues in the supply chain, with fruit and vegetable shortages on shop shelves highlighting the difficulties with relying heavily on imported produce.

“What happened there has highlighted that the farther the field from the shelf, the more unpredictable the supply of it is. The closer the product is grown, the more reliability there will be for getting that product to the shelves,” Deputy President of the Ulster Farmers’ Union, John McLenaghan explained to NR.

“There are of course other benefits to this such as cutting down distance and costs and improving sustainability. Vegetables grown here will have a higher nutrient density and value compared to those grown in bulk in a quicker period,” he added.

As Michael Bell, Executive Director of the Northern Ireland Food and Drink Association (NIFDA) points out, for a region of our size, Northern Ireland punches well above its weight.

“Together with what I call the wider ‘eating ecosystem’ – farming, transport, cold stores, packaging, retail – we are a £4.9 billion industry, supporting 113,000 jobs. We feed 10 million people,” said Mr Bell.

“Over the past year, Northern Ireland food and drink companies have continued to grow and drive that success through what has been a challenging environment. Inflation, hyperinflation even, continued to be an issue throughout 2023. Prices of feed, fertiliser and energy remained high, driving the price of food at a rate that had not been seen for multiple generations.”

Northern Ireland is a hot bed of producers and manufacturers, who are only too keen to show off their wares to customers across the province – and in our latest issue we celebrate them all!

FIND THE FULL LOVE LOCAL FEATURE IN THE FEBRUARY-MARCH ISSUE OF NEIGHBOURHOOD RETAILER HERE

The post From taste to traceability – the importance of supporting local first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

The Tandragee-based producer has successfully traded in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region for over 10 years and will once again be at Gulfood, the world’s largest food expo in the Dubai World Trade Centre, one of five companies from Northern Ireland exhibiting at the Invest NI stand.

The new £500,000 deal with Qatar Quality Products will see White’s Oats further develop their export sales with their full range of porridge oats and granolas available in major retailers throughout Qatar including Carrefour, Lulu and Monoprix.

Stuart Best, White’s Business Development Manager, explained the importance of promoting Northern Ireland as an award-winning food region, as well as investing time to strengthen relationships as the brand continues to expand its growing export base.

“As a market leader locally with an increasing focus on export outside of GB and Ireland, we are delighted to be extending our brand reach in the Middle East which is showing massive potential with a five-year forecasted growth of 19% for hot cereals.

“Our new contract with Qatar Quality Products is an exciting opportunity as we continue to build relationships with our partners and develop our long-term sustainable export growth strategy in the GCC region.

“The Northern Ireland food and drink sector has developed an unrivalled reputation for quality, taste and traceability, attributes which are highly sought after in the GCC territories. Quality and taste remain the cornerstone of our 182-year heritage. This is supported by our commitment to ensuring the highest standards of food security right across our oat supply chain and we look forward to bringing high quality international products to the people of Qatar.”

The post White’s Oats announce new half a million pound deal in Qatar partnership first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Building on its existing UK consolidator business, the deal will see White’s further develop its export sales with its full range of porridge oats and granolas available in major retailers throughout Qatar, including Carrefour, Lulu and Monoprix.

White’s has successfully traded in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region for over 10 years and will once again have a presence at Gulfood, the world’s largest food expo in the Dubai World Trade Centre, as one of five companies from Northern Ireland exhibiting at the Invest NI stand.

EXTENDING BRAND REACH

Stuart Best, White’s Business Development Manager, explained the importance of promoting Northern Ireland as an award-winning food region, as well as investing time to strengthen relationships as the brand continues to expand its growing export base.

“As a market leader locally with an increasing focus on export outside of GB and Ireland, we are delighted to be extending our brand reach in the Middle East which is showing massive potential with a five-year forecasted growth of 19% for hot cereals.

‘The Northern Ireland food and drink sector has developed an unrivalled reputation for quality, taste and traceability, attributes’

“Our new contract with Qatar Quality Products is an exciting opportunity as we continue to build relationships with our partners and develop our long-term sustainable export growth strategy in the GCC region.

“The Northern Ireland food and drink sector has developed an unrivalled reputation for quality, taste and traceability, attributes which are highly sought after in the GCC territories. Quality and taste remain the cornerstone of our 182-year heritage. This is supported by our commitment to ensuring the highest standards of food security right across our oat supply chain and we look forward to bringing high quality international products to the people of Qatar,” he added,

White’s is exhibiting at the Northern Ireland stand S1-B34 at Gulfood 2023 from Monday 20^th to Friday 24^th February.

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