PATRICK BERRIDGE,
Sir, - Alan J. Cook (September 28th) bemoans the difference in price between French Brie (€1 for 200g.) and Irish Brie (€3.74 for 200g.).
Indeed that is a huge price disparity, but Mr Cook is comparing two different products. The Brie that he purchased in Bordeaux was probably a mass produced cheese, while Irish Brie is a hand-crafted, whole milk, farm-produced cheese. Any mass produced food is much cheaper than a hand-made one. French "Brie de Meaux" is sold at a higher price in Ireland than Irish Brie.
Within Ireland the price range is considerable and is directly related to the margin taken by the distributor. The difference is not controlled by the producer. - Yours, etc.,
PATRICK BERRIDGE, Managing director, Carrigbyrne Cheese, Adamstown, Co Wexford.
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Sir, - "Expensive Ireland" - too polite a term. Now that we are all good Europeans, how about changing the country's name to "El Rip-Off". - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL O'DONNELL, Patrick's Hill, Cork.