Just launched: our 2026 Food & Agribusiness Report

What’s on the minds of Ireland’s food & agribusiness leaders?

What does growth look like in 2026? How are businesses using AI? Where are they finding new opportunities? And how prepared are they for the challenges ahead?

Our 2026 Food & Agribusiness Report, Ready or Not goes behind the numbers to explore the decisions food and agribusiness leaders are making now, and the issues they’re prioritising for the future.

From profitability and new product development to exporting, people, succession and technology, discover what businesses across the sector told us and what it could mean for your business.

Download our 2026 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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91%

reported an increase in costs this year

63%

of food businesses cited launching new products as the top growth opportunity

79%

intend to grow the business over the next 12 months.

75%

have no clear succession or leadership transition plan

65%

optimistic about the performance of their business over the next 12 months

35%

are taking more sustainability actions than last year

48%

have nothing in place to support employees' AI use.

89%

do not have a designated person or team responsible for AI in the business

61%

currently export, and 32% of those generate more than half their turnover abroad

Irish food and agribusiness optimism slips as costs hit nine-year high but 79% still plan to grow.

Our report finds that while Irish food and agribusiness leaders remain committed to growth, optimism has declined and cost pressures have reached their highest level in nine years. The 2026 Food and Agribusiness Report, now in its ninth edition and themed Ready or Not, is Ireland's only dedicated sentiment tracker for the sector. Its findings indicate that change, particularly in relation to AI adoption, supply-chain risk and export exposure, is progressing faster than the structures many businesses have in place to manage it.

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Keynote interview: Professor Karina Pierce on building Ireland’s next generation of agrifood talent

Technology, sustainability and genetics will all shape the future of Irish agrifood, but Professor Karina Pierce believes its competitiveness will ultimately depend on people and on how closely industry and education work together to develop them. In discussion with our own David Leydon, the newly appointed Head of the University College Dublin School of Agriculture and Food Science sets out five priorities for the next five years and explains why industry has become one of the university’s most important teachers.

Read the full story

In-depth insights from our ifac experts

Client case study: Boylans Fruit

Boylans Fruit is a family-owned frozen fruit business based in Johnstown Bridge, Co. Kildare. Founded in 1989 by John Boylan, the company has spent over 35 years supplying Irish and international markets and now packs its full range from a 10,000 sq. ft facility certified to BRC Grade A+. Boylans Fruit supplies both retail and food service, under its own brand and as private label. The business exports into the UAE and has built strong relationships with growers both in Ireland and internationally to source fruit through the growing season.

John Boylan, owner of Boylans Fruit, explains how he has diversified the business's reliance on one category: “We started exploring how we could change and move away from relying on one product category. Our own NPD team spent the last year developing the recipe and what we found was that consumers wanted convenience, but they also wanted an experience, not just something quick. That's what led to the Bake Easy range: Bake Easy Apple Crumble and Bake Easy Rhubarb Crumble. It launched into Aldi this year through the Grow with Aldi programme and we've another major retailer listing later this year. Working with ifac to bring this product to market has been of real value, from the account management side right through to getting the listing over the line. Diversifying our product range has opened doors with new customers and grown the visibility of the Boylans brand with consumers too.”

Key takeaways 2026

The Key Takeaways section brings together the most important insights from across the report, highlighting the issues that matter most to food and agribusinesses today. From market shifts and cost pressures to innovation, growth, and sustainability, these findings provide a clear snapshot of where the sector stands and what lies ahead. View now