Just launched: our 2025 Food & Agribusiness Report

44% of Irish food & agribusinesses delay investment, despite record optimism

Ireland’s only dedicated sentiment tracker for the food and agribusiness SME sector returns for its 8th year. Drawing on responses from food and agribusiness leaders nationwide, the 2025 report captures a sector balancing resilience with caution in a period of significant change. Optimism has surged compared with last year, yet many businesses are delaying investment amid rising costs, foreign exchange exposure, and succession gaps. With insights on AI adoption, sustainability, exports and people, this is Ireland’s definitive benchmark for the food and agribusiness sector.

Download our 2025 Food & Agribusiness Report

Actionable insights on optimism, investment, AI, sustainability, exports and people, straight from Ireland’s leading agri sentiment tracker.

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Hear from David Leydon, our Group Head of Growth and Agrifood Consulting, as he shares key insights from this years report.

80% of food and agribusinesses are optimistic about their performance in 2025 – up 25% on last year.

Costs remain a major pressure, with 80% of businesses reporting increases, and 44% delaying investment due to uncertainty. Succession planning is still a gap, with three out of four businesses lacking a transition plan, while AI adoption is rising fast — 77% of leaders are already using tools like ChatGPT or Co-Pilot. Despite these challenges, optimism has rebounded, with 80% of business leaders confident about the year ahead.

77%

of business leaders are using ChatGPT or Co-Pilot

2 in 5

businesses have no formal marketing strategy or rely on a reactive approach

44%

of businesses have delayed investment due to uncertainty

80%

of business leaders are optimistic about their performance over the next 12 months, a 25% increase from 2024

50%

of survey respondents are exporting to the UK and 1 in 4 are exporting to the USA

9 out of 10

survey respondents’ international sales have maintained or increased in the last 12 months

46%

of business leaders are not aware of the Wage Transparency Act

58%

of food businesses focusing on process improvements to manage costs

70%

of businesses are not invoicing or getting paid in euro, exposing them to FX risk

Keynote interview: Jenny Melia, newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of Enterprise Ireland

Jenny has worked with Enterprise Ireland, the State agency that helps Irish companies to start, grow, innovate, and win export sales in global markets. for 29 years. Before being appointed to the role of CEO in May of this year, Jenny held a number of senior leadership roles across the organisation. She has worked extensively with companies of varying scales from all sectors, including food and drink. In discussion with our Group Head of Growth & Agrifood Consulting, David Leydon, she discusses the importance of the agrifood sector to the Irish economy and how companies can scale globally.

Read the full story

Food & agribusiness report 2025 media highlights

The launch of our 2025 Food & Agribusiness Report sparked thoughtful conversations across Ireland, reaching audiences on national TV, early-morning radio, and in national and regional press. Captured at the National Ploughing Championships, this short video brings together some of the standout media moments and key themes from the event.

Download our 2025 Food & Agribusiness Report

Actionable insights on optimism, investment, AI, sustainability, exports and people, straight from Ireland’s leading agri sentiment tracker.

DOWNLOAD

In-depth insights from our ifac experts

Supports Guide 2025

Engaging with relevant supports is a vital part of growth for many food and agribusinesses. With ongoing uncertainty and cost challenges, it is now more important than ever to maximise the supports available for your business.

There are a wide range of supports available to businesses of all sizes from start-ups to established businesses. The ifac Food and Agribusiness Team work with business owners to help them secure the necessary support for their business, from identifying relevant supports to completing funding applications. We encourage you to examine the list of supports

View our 2025 Supports Guide