Irish Drinks Forum 2025 unveils sector-wide resilience framework amid global challenges.
The Irish Drinks Forum 2025 opened today at the BIA Innovator Campus in Athenry, bringing together over 40 leading voices from across the drinks industry, government and research for two days of collaboration and strategic planning.
At the heart of this year’s event is the launch of a seven-point Resilience Framework aimed at helping drinks businesses navigate economic, environmental and trade-related shocks.
“The goal is a smarter, greener, more shock-proof industry that keeps high-value jobs in our communities”
The framework, built around the “7 C’s” – Connection, Competence, Confidence, Coping, Character, Contribution and Control – offers practical tools for producers across whiskey, beer, cider, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages. It is designed to support everyone from start-up founders to global executives in building long-term sustainable success.
Strength in unity
Annette Kearney, programme director of the Irish Drinks Forum and managing director of drinks consultancy Brims, said the sector has seen “extraordinary growth in recent years albeit in a hugely fluctuating environment, deeply felt presently amongst many of its players and stakeholders.”
She added: “Building on this growth and long-term sustainable resilience is hugely important and requires effort and new ways.”
Eoin O’Cathain, director of the Irish Whiskey Association at Ibec, said the focus on resilience is “timelier than ever” given the challenges facing the sector in 2025.
“The opportunity to connect and learn with our colleagues and friends has never been more important. In times like these, we must learn from the experience of others. The true grit and resilience which embodies the Irish drinks sector will shine through again as we come through these tumultuous times. Ní neart go cur le chéile – there is strength in unity.”
Ireland’s drinks industry now accounts for nearly half of the country’s total food-and-drink export value and supports 38,000 direct and indirect jobs, playing a vital role in rural economies nationwide.
Despite record exports last year – with Irish whiskey alone exceeding €1 billion – the sector faces mounting pressures from input cost volatility, climate-related crop challenges and international trade turbulence.
Lynn Harte, Smart Regions Enterprise Innovation Programme Manager and Irish Drinks Forum Programme Manager for BIA Innovator Campus, said the campus is “creating a thriving innovation centre for the food and drinks sector – linking producers, researchers and technology partners.
“The goal is a smarter, greener, more shock-proof industry that keeps high-value jobs in our communities.”
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