Buyers with €26bn purchasing power engage with over 100 local producers as product innovation and clean-label demand shape industry direction.
Irish food and drink producers gathered in force at Bord Bia Bloom’s annual Trade Breakfast, where emerging consumer trends including high-fibre foods, clean-label ingredients and alcohol-free beverages took centre stage in shaping product innovation and commercial strategy.
Held in the Food Village at the Phoenix Park festival, now in its 20th year, the event brought together more than 100 producers and over 250 senior retail and foodservice buyers representing a combined purchasing power of €26 billion.
“Each year, the key decision-makers behind Ireland’s biggest listings engage directly with both new and established Irish food and drink producers, who continue to innovate and excel within the industry”
The breakfast continues to serve as a key commercial gateway for Irish brands seeking new listings and expanded distribution across domestic and international markets.
Jim O’Toole, CEO of Bord Bia, said the scale and engagement at the event underlined its continued importance for the sector.
“The energy at this morning’s Trade Breakfast proves that, as Bord Bia Bloom celebrates its landmark 20th year, this event remains a powerhouse for Irish business,” he said. “Each year, the key decision-makers behind Ireland’s biggest listings engage directly with both new and established Irish food and drink producers, who continue to innovate and excel within the industry.”
He added that Bord Bia’s role is to facilitate partnerships that support long-term growth. “Our role enables the growth of strong partnerships between customers, producers and industry stakeholders that are built on trust, collaboration and a shared ambition for growth,” he said.
Health-led innovation drives new product launches
A notable feature of this year’s showcase was the focus on “better for you” food and drink, with producers responding to growing consumer demand for transparency, functionality and healthier formulations.
Functional food company Biasol introduced 30g High Fibre Mini Oat Bites, aligning with increased interest in fibre-rich diets. Meanwhile, Blanco Niño expanded its tortilla chip range with new single-serve formats and an additional flavour designed around convenience and consumer preference.
Traditional categories are also evolving. Bacon producers Oakpark and Brady Family unveiled nitrate-free products, reflecting a broader move towards cleaner ingredient lists and reduced additives.
Alcohol-free options also featured prominently. Kinnegar Brewing launched a non-alcoholic version of its Jackrabbit ginger beer, while Fierce Mild continued to build momentum following last year’s event, where early buyer conversations helped secure nationwide distribution for its non-alcoholic range.
Other product launches spanned a wide range of categories, including Folláin’s new Spoonfuls flavour combining apple, pear, flaxseed and chia seeds, Cashel Farmhouse Cheese’s Toma No. 5, and Dungarvan Brewing Company’s Clonea Strand Kölsch-style lager. Nomadic Foods introduced a limited-edition white chocolate and strawberry yogurt with oat clusters, while Loughnane’s debuted a premium pudding range and the Traditional Cheese Company presented a gluten-free offering.
Proven pathway to commercial success
The Trade Breakfast continues to demonstrate strong conversion from networking to listing agreements. Brands that engaged with buyers at previous events have reported significant growth over the past year.
Non-alcoholic drinks company Fierce Mild now supplies more than 200 stores nationwide following initial meetings at Bloom. Mór Taste, a low-sugar jam producer, secured listings in over 100 stores, while Killowen Yoghurts expanded its Tesco UK presence from 250 stores to 850 outlets.
Pauline Dunne, Marketing Manager at Killowen Farm, said the direct access to buyers is central to the company’s innovation and growth strategy. “We have found that direct conversations with buyers at this event have been hugely important for us and supported product innovations,” she said. “We recently launched an Overnight Oats product with SuperValu and have also introduced a protein-rich range of our yogurts and granola, which have been well received by retailers nationwide.”
Strong buyer presence
Major retail groups including Musgrave, Dunnes Stores, Tesco, Lidl, Aldi and Marks & Spencer were present, alongside specialist retailers such as Donnybrook Fair and Fallon & Byrne.
The foodservice sector was also well represented, with buyers from Dalata Hotel Group, Gourmet Food Parlour, Circle K and Applegreen attending, as well as contract caterers Aramark, Compass and Sodexo.
National distributors, including Sysco, Musgrave Wholesale Partners and BWG Foodservice, added further weight to the event’s commercial reach.
Alongside food innovation, Bord Bia Bloom continues to serve as a platform for the horticulture sector, with a dedicated Horticulture Trade Breakfast bringing together growers, suppliers and industry stakeholders to explore collaboration and growth opportunities.
As the festival continues through the June bank holiday weekend, Bord Bia Bloom remains a focal point for showcasing Ireland’s food, drink and horticulture sectors, highlighting their economic contribution and reinforcing connections between producers and the buyers who bring their products to market.
Image at top: Rebecca Gangnus, Felix Oster, Founder and Kayla McGannon, from Mór Taste. Photo: Johnny Bambury/Fennell Photography
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