Irish meat producing factory Hilton Foods has secured a contract to provide the British supermarket chain Tesco with beef, pork and lamb.
Under the deal, Hilton Foods, based in Drogheda, Co Louth, will provide meat to all Tesco outlets in Ireland and will also export to the supermarket's British stores.
The Irish Farmers' Association has described the move as a major boost for Irish farmers.
The Association's deputy president, Ruaidhri Deasy said: "This is the way forward. If we're ever going to penetrate the English market, it has to be through the retail sector."