Bord Bia’s 'Origin Green' programme has been chosen to represent Ireland at this year’s Milan EXPO, which is open from 1 May until 31 October.

The EXPO, formerly known as the World Fair, takes place every five years and over this six month period Milan will host more than 145 participating countries and welcome over 20 million visitors to its 490 acre exhibition site.

Origin Green was chosen as Ireland’s response to this year’s EXPO’s theme, “Feeding the Planet – Energy for Life”.

This weekend also sees the opening of the Tuttofood international exhibition in Milan, which is a biennial event and takes place from the 3 to 6 May.

The fair, which currently ranks third in terms of Europe’s largest food fairs, will also host an Origin Green stand with exhibitors such as Dawn Meats, Slaney Foods, Kepak, Liffey Meats and Traditional Meats aiming to impress both Italian and international buyers.

According to Bord Bia, Irish food and drinks exports to Italy grew in value by 6% to €311m in 2014, with beef accounting for 60% or €184m. The country is our third largest destination for beef, after the UK and France, taking approximately 47,000 tonnes, which accounts for almost 20% of total exports to Continental Europe .

Aidan Cotter, Chief Executive of Bord Bia, said the alignment of Tuttofood with the opening of EXPO provides the company with "an ideal platform to demonstrate to the consumer and business worlds the innovative nature of Origin Green, how it responds to the EXPO challenge and how sustainable food production, which is increasingly 'top of mind' with food companies and consumers, can become a reality, with Ireland as a leading player."

Over 3,000 companies will exhibit at Tuttofood this year, a 50% increase on the last event in 2013. The expanse of the site at Rho-Fiera Milano has also increased by 50% to cover 180,000 square metres.