Welcome to our Food and AgriBusiness Report 2019
This report is based on the insights provided by 200 owner-managers of food and agribusinesses from across Ireland
Recruiting
Despite Brexit concerns, 25% of companies plan to employ more staff in the next 12 months although the majority of respondents highlighted that they are finding it somewhat or very difficult to find the right people for their businesses.
Climate Change
Climate change is firmly on the business agenda with 74% of businesses taking initiatives to reduce their impact on climate change. Managing waste and by products are the most common actions
Are Irish SMEs Worried about Brexit?
Concern about Brexit among Irish food and agribusinesses is up 100% versus 2018. Key concerns include currency risk, volatility, the potential for a hard border and increased costs.
Planning for the future
Businesses owners are not planning for their long-term future as 81% of Irish food and agribusinesses do not have a clear, documented succession plan in place.
Food Trends
Sustainable packaging (30%), veganism (24%) and local provenance (23%) are all influencing Irish food businesses. It is important for business owner-managers to stay up to speed with these trends and plan accordingly.
Growth of private labels
The importance of private labels is highlighted by the double-digit growth in the private label sales by the 62% of food businesses who currently use this as a route to market.
Finance and Support
Fewer businesses are looking for bank finance reflecting a drop of 30% year-on-year (43% in 2018 vs 30% in 2019) with 1 in 4 companies (26%) now use State grants to help grow their business. Check out the ifac Supports Guide on pages 14 and 15.
Do Irish food and agribusinesses conduct business online?
Not yet as 66% of companies have no plans to sell online. Online selling does not currently feel like a genuine route to market for many food and agribusinesses.
Let's Get Social
64% of companies see Social Media as important or very important with Facebook remaining the most dominant platform although the perceived effectiveness of Instagram has increased from 9% to 15% year-on-year.
Who have we surveyed?
200 SMEs in Ireland were surveyed for this report…
Our researchers spoke to owners of micro, small and medium-sized businesses in the Food and Agribusiness sector. Micro and Small businesses dominate the sector, accounting for 83% of respondents.
Download the 2019 Ifac Food & AgriBusiness Report
This report is based on in-depth research conducted by Amárach Research. The findings are clear and reveal the current sentiment of Ireland's food and agribusiness sectors straight from the industry leaders.
Tánaiste Simon Coveney launches the ifac 2019 Food & AgriBusiness Report
“Ifac has been using its financial expertise and sectoral experience to drive growth throughout the food and agribusiness sector and its report today is further evidence that our SMEs remain exposed to the challenges ahead. All of these businesses play an increasingly important role in Ireland’s local and national economy. They need to act and take on the professional advice that’s needed, from ifac and others, so that they can sustain the jobs and wealth they have created and respond to the challenges of the sector and Brexit.”
Download the Top 10 Takeaways
Download the key findings of the ifac 2019 Food & AgriBusiness Report covering Brexit, cost and margin pressure, social media, recruitment challenges and optimism levels. #ifacReport
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Download the ifac Supports Guide
State agencies such as Enterprise Ireland, the Local Enterprise Office, Bord Bia, and others provide support from start-up phase right up to expansion. Ifac have created an indicative map of some of the most frequently used supports by Irish food and agribusinesses.
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Download the 2018 ifac Food & AgriBusiness Report
This report is based on in-depth research conducted by Amárach Research in 2018. See how the findings from 2018 compare with the 2019 Report.
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