Ireland’s food and drink industry is heading back to one of its biggest annual innovation events, as the Enterprise Ireland Food Innovation Summit returns to Croke Park on 17 June 2026. The Enterprise Ireland gathering places the spotlight on practical innovation, AI adoption and workforce capability at a time when businesses across the sector are dealing with cost pressures, market uncertainty and fast-changing consumer demand.
The summit is positioned as Ireland’s only dedicated event focused fully on innovation in the food and drink sector, bringing together companies, researchers and ecosystem partners. It comes after another strong year for Irish exports, with Food, Drink, Nutrition and ClimateTech exports reaching €16.98 billion in 2025, up 5%, while the sector continues to support close to 70,000 jobs in communities across the country.
Enterprise Ireland summit puts food innovation at the centre
This year’s Enterprise Ireland event arrives at a crucial moment for manufacturers and producers. Businesses are managing higher input costs, raw material inflation and broader global volatility. Rather than focusing on factors outside their control, the summit agenda is designed around the levers companies can actually influence:
- Investment in research and development
- Adoption of AI tools for planning and performance
- Skills development and workforce capability
- Product innovation linked to new consumer trends
One major discussion point is the growing influence of GLP-1 weight-loss medications on food demand, particularly the shift toward high-protein, high-fibre, low-sugar and portion-controlled products. That makes the Enterprise Ireland summit especially relevant for companies seeking to stay ahead of changing market behaviour.
What ministers and industry leaders are saying
Government and industry speakers are expected to underline the strategic importance of the sector to Ireland’s regional economy and export performance. The event has support from key national bodies including Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia and Teagasc, alongside relevant departments linked to Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Agriculture, and wider government priorities visible across gov.ie.
The message is clear: long-term competitiveness depends on sustained investment in innovation, skills and research. That aligns with broader policy themes seen across Irish public bodies and agencies, from the Department of the Taoiseach and Finance to Agriculture, Further and Higher Education, and Rural and Community Development.
Summit highlights
- Opening address from Enterprise Ireland Chairman Jim Woulfe
- Keynote discussion on leading through change in the food landscape
- Panels on practical R&D, AI use and capability building
- Innovation pitches from emerging companies including Key2Biotics, Ryse Chocolates, Talio and Gigi Supplements
- Sector voices from Kerry Group, Dawn Meats, Marigot, Killowen Yogurts, IRDG and Skillnet Ireland
Discovery Zone and wider support network
A notable addition this year is the Discovery Zone, an interactive space designed to give food and drink companies a hands-on view of the supports available for starting and sustaining an innovation journey. That practical approach reflects how Irish enterprise supports increasingly connect businesses with research centres, third-level institutes and specialist advisory networks.
The event’s partner ecosystem stretches across agencies and public bodies that shape Irish business growth, including organisations often referenced by exporters and SMEs such as Revenue Commissioners, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the Central Bank in the wider economic landscape.
For food businesses navigating inflation, consumer change and sustainability expectations, the Enterprise Ireland summit offers more than a networking date in the calendar. It is a practical checkpoint on where the sector is going next and how Irish companies can remain competitive in global markets. As the Enterprise Ireland Food Innovation Summit returns to Croke Park, the main takeaway is simple: businesses that invest in innovation, AI and talent now will be best placed to grow in the years ahead.
Article/Image Courtesy: Enterprise Ireland
