As Enterprise Ireland summit opens at Croke Park, industry leaders highlight AI, skills and R&D investment as key levers to sustain growth amid cost pressures and shifting consumer demand.
Enterprise Ireland has brought together hundreds of food and drink businesses, researchers and industry partners at Croke Park for its annual Food Innovation Summit, with a clear message that sustained competitiveness will depend on practical innovation, stronger skills and the adoption of new technologies.
The event, now in its fourth year, comes as the sector continues to perform strongly despite a demanding operating environment.
“Our food and drink companies continue to perform strongly in international markets, built on the quality and integrity of the entire chain from primary production through to export”
Exports across Enterprise Ireland’s Food, Drink, Nutrition and ClimateTech portfolio reached €16.98 billion in 2025, marking a 5% increase on the previous year. The industry remains a major regional employer, supporting close to 70,000 jobs nationwide.
Global volatility can be hard to digest
However, companies are navigating rising input costs, raw material pressures and wider global volatility.
Against this backdrop, the summit is focusing on the factors within business control, including investment in research and development, the use of artificial intelligence and building workforce capability.
Minister of State for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Alan Dillon said the sector’s long-term strength would come down to sustained investment.
“Ireland’s food and drink sector is one of the cornerstones of our exporting economy and a major source of regional employment,” he said.
“Supporting these businesses to scale is central to the Government’s enterprise agenda. In a more volatile global environment, our long-term competitiveness rests on what we can control: the investment we make in innovation, in research and development, and in the skills of our workforce.”
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon, TD, pointed to shifting consumer expectations and the importance of maintaining momentum in innovation.
“Our food and drink companies continue to perform strongly in international markets, built on the quality and integrity of the entire chain from primary production through to export,” he said. “Consumer expectations are evolving on transparency, on sustainability, on innovation and Irish producers are responding. Food Vision 2030 sets the direction for the sector and today’s Summit is an important part of delivering on it.”
He stressed that continued success cannot be taken for granted, adding that research and innovation must be treated as core business priorities.
“We cannot view research and innovation as a ‘nice to have’,” he said. “As a sector, we must constantly question are we sufficiently utilising the huge range of supports that are available. We are also seeing many of the high skilled graduates from our public food research system being recruited by other sectors of the economy. This is a massive lost opportunity. Government is creating the conditions for innovation.
“We are investing in research, infrastructure, skills and support programmes. But ultimately, innovation requires businesses to make the investment and to prioritise R&I if we are to realise the future growth potential of this critically important indigenous sector.”
Food for thought
The summit programme reflects the shift towards applied innovation, with sessions examining how businesses can embed R&D into day-to-day operations and use AI to improve planning, profitability and performance. Skills development also features prominently, particularly as companies look to adapt to new production methods and changing market demands.
One of the more notable themes is the impact of GLP-1 weight loss medications on global food consumption patterns. Industry experts are exploring the growing demand for high protein, high fibre and lower sugar products, alongside increased interest in portion-controlled offerings.
The event also provides a platform for early stage companies to showcase new ideas. Start-ups including Key2Biotics, Ryse Chocolates, Talio and Gigi Supplements are presenting innovation pitches to industry leaders and potential partners.
Speakers from across the sector, including Kerry Group, Dawn Meats, Marigot and Killowen Yogurts, are contributing insights alongside organisations such as the Irish Research and Development Group and Skillnet Ireland.
A new addition this year is the Discovery Zone, an interactive space designed to give companies hands-on exposure to the supports available across the innovation ecosystem. It aims to help firms at all stages of development, from those beginning their innovation journey to more established exporters seeking to scale.
The summit is supported by a broad network of partners including Bord Bia, Teagasc, government departments and third-level institutions, reflecting a coordinated approach to driving innovation across the food sector.
Enterprise Ireland chair Jim Woulfe told delegates the organisation’s focus is on ensuring companies can access practical supports that translate into measurable gains.
“This is a challenging time for food and drink companies, and we do not underestimate the pressures they are under,” he said. “Today is about meeting companies and establishing where they are, listening to what they need, and connecting them with practical supports that help them invest in their future competitiveness. Enterprise Ireland, alongside our partners, will be with them every step of the way.”
-
Bank of Ireland is welcoming new customers every day – funding investments, working capital and expansions across multiple sectors. To learn more, click here
-
For support in challenging times, click here
-
Listen to the ThinkBusiness Podcast for business insights and inspiration. Latest episodes are here. You can also listen to the Podcast on:
-
Spotify
-
SoundCloud
-
Apple
