Food Drink Ireland

This morning, FDI released the Food and Drink Manufacturing Report 2025, titled “Appetite for Growth.”   The report reflects a generally positive outlook within the food and drink sector, with 58% of respondents rating the manufacturing environment in Ireland as good or very good.   However, this figure is lower than the 70% positive response rate seen across all manufacturing sectors. Additionally, sentiment regarding the months ahead appears to be slightly more cautious. The report identifies three key challenges facing the sector: 1. The rising cost of labour 2. Increasing material costs 3. The evolving regulatory landscape   The report also outlines a set of recommendations for inclusion in the upcoming Programme for Government, aimed at providing support for Ireland’s largest indigenous manufacturing sector.   To read the full report please see below. https://lnkd.in/eyBtZdg7

It has been a pleasure to work with Kieran Conroy over the past four years. You have been a fantastic Chairman and representative for the PCF sector. We look forward to continuing on the great work you have done with Killian Barry as our new Chair of the PCF Council for 2025-2027.

Wishing All Our Members a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! As we close out a busy year, we want to extend our warmest wishes to all of our members for a wonderful Christmas break. 2024 has been a year of great progress at Food Drink Ireland, and we are excited to continue working alongside you in 2025, supporting your growth and success. Thank you for your continued partnership, and we look forward to another year of collaboration and achievements together.

A great article by our Environmental Sustainability Executive, Rian Morris. The article looks at the practical measures that FDI members are taking to tackle food waste and highlights the needs for further action within the Irish food and drinks sector.  To read the full article see below https://lnkd.in/ejZDFgWX

Ibec has just launched its 2024 Manufacturing in Ireland Report, “Facing Forward: Manufacturing Confidence Amidst Evolving Challenges". Manufacturing plays a critical role in the Irish economy, employing a significant portion of the workforce and contributing 44%, over €10 billion, of corporation tax revenue. With the rapid evolution of new technologies, the sector is undergoing significant change, and it needs to adapt to these developments The report reveals confidence among manufacturers, with approximately 70% expressing a positive outlook. However, challenges persist, particularly rising operational costs related to wages, raw materials, and energy. Despite these hurdles, many manufacturers expect improvements in productivity and profitability. In terms of cost challenges, over three quarters of all respondents expect increases in wage growth while just over half expect increases in raw materials and transportation costs. Beyond cost increases, almost two thirds of respondents expressed concern about attracting and retaining talent, while over half of respondents noted the availability of housing for employees as a major challenge.   Manufacturers, like many facets of Irish business, are concerned with rising costs. To help alleviate this concern, Ibec urges the government to adopt a new national energy and industrial strategy that accelerates the roll-out of low-cost renewable generation and storage technologies, invests in the national grid, and supports the electrification of homes and businesses. In the short term, a subvention to offset system charges and the PSO levy would reduce costs and align Ireland with European norms. Expanding industry supports for renewables and energy efficiency is key to a secure, sustainable, and competitively priced energy system that fosters business growth. Get the full report here: https://lnkd.in/edcS_4BC #irishmanufacturing #manufacturingireland #makeinireland #irishindustry #manufacturingireland

🎤 Our next speaker, Linda Stuart-Trainor, Deputy Director of Food Drink Ireland, will discuss the evolution of food and drink in Ireland 🥘🥤, the enablers of food reformulation 🛠️, and the government supports available. #FoodReformulation

Inflation and FMCG: Challenges and Opportunities 🚦 The AIM European Consumer Goods Barometer 2024 highlights the real pressures facing Europe’s branded consumer goods sector—but also its resilience and potential. The challenges: 🔴 91% of manufacturers face rising production costs. 🔴 78% report disruptions due to soaring raw material prices. 🔴 64% are adapting to higher packaging costs. The opportunities: 🟢 The sector continues to innovate, delivering trusted products to millions of households. 🟢 FMCG businesses are adapting, driving efficiencies and exploring sustainable solutions. 🟢 With the right support, this sector can remain a cornerstone of Europe’s economy and competitiveness. The stakes are high. Europe’s FMCG sector needs smart policies to safeguard innovation and maintain its competitive edge. Fostering innovation, strengthening supply chains, and reducing regulatory burdens must be priorities. By taking decisive action now, we can transform today’s challenges into opportunities, driving sustainable growth and resilience for the future. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/dCKVaj2h #Competitiveness #Inflation #FMCG #EUGrowth #TrustedBrands #industrialpolicy #BrandsDrivingValueforEurope ÖSTERREICHISCHER VERBAND DER MARKENARTIKELINDUSTRIE (Markenartikelverband) BABM - Belgian Brands Association Czech Association for Branded Products MLDK Mærkevareleverandørerne Ilec – La voix des marques Markenverband e.V. Food Drink Ireland Centromarca – Associazione Italiana dell’Industria di Marca FNLI DLF Norway (The Grocery Suppliers of Norway) Centromarca Slovenské združenie pre značkové výrobky (SZZV) Promarca España DLF PROMARCA British Brands Group

Earlier this month, Food Drink Ireland participated in the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Food Reformulation Task Force’s Processed Cheese food category meeting, on behalf of our members operating in this category. Industry progress on salt reduction in processed cheeses was highlighted by the Task Force, with a 9.06% reduction in mean sodium content between 2014 and 2023. There were informative presentations shared by Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc in relation to the supports available for food and drink companies on their Reformulation Journey. FDI looks forward to continued engagement with the FSAI in relation to the progress of work in this category, along with the other categories that are included in the Roadmap for Food Product Reformulation in Ireland.

A fantastic piece in todays The Irish Times that highlights the importance of the National Training Fund and the positive impact this investment can have on the Food and Drinks sector. Our FDI skillnet manager Mark Skinner has done phenomenal work in helping to develop programmes to support industry needs. "The changing regulatory landscape is a particular issue for the food and drink industry. We have developed a Masters in Food and Drink Regulation to help people develop solutions specific to their businesses. Sustainable food packaging is another area where there is increased focus at present". Ibec actively promotes and manages 11 Skillnet business networks. These networks are designed to enhance the skills of employees across various sectors by offering training, learning, and development opportunities. https://lnkd.in/e-MC4DRe

Last Tuesday Food Drink Ireland was proud to sponsor and work with Food Matters Live for their fantastic event held in Croke Park over 2 days. We had the pleasure of catching up with members and stakeholders as well as making new connections across the food and drink sector.   Our Deputy Director Linda Stuart-Trainor and our Senior Regulatory Affairs Executive Aoife Moran led a panel discussions on trends within the food and drink sector. The discussion covered topics such as regulations, sustainability, AI and attracting talent to the sector. Linda and Aoife also hosted a roundtable discussion on lobbying for food and drink businesses. We were also joined by our colleagues in Dairy Industry Ireland where they gave updates on meeting science-based targets in Ireland’s sustainability journey to net zero and Foods for Special Medical Purposes in the treatment of disease-related malnutrition.