Ireland is taking a major step towards strengthening its food supply chain as construction begins on a new Irish flour mill in Ballycarney, County Wexford. The 300-tonne-a-day facility is being developed by Slaney Flour, a joint venture between Hemelter Ireland and Ballycarney Grain Ltd.
The project is designed to bring more flour production back to Ireland, placing supply closer to the bakeries and food manufacturers that depend on it. The development also reflects growing interest in domestic food production, agricultural resilience and stronger links between Irish farmers and the food industry.
Irish Flour Mill Aims to Reduce Import Dependence
Ireland currently imports approximately 260,000 tonnes of flour annually, with much of it coming from the United Kingdom, Germany and France. Increasing domestic milling capacity could help reduce exposure to international disruption, changing weather patterns and geopolitical uncertainty.
For Ireland’s bakery sector, which generates annual turnover of about €1.1 billion, a reliable local supply of flour could support competitiveness and provide greater stability for businesses. Enterprise Ireland is supporting the project as part of its remit to help Irish companies grow, scale and develop export potential.
What the Ballycarney facility will provide
- Planned milling capacity of 300 tonnes per day
- Closer links between Irish wheat growers and food producers
- Additional opportunities for tillage farmers in the South-East
- Greater resilience across Ireland’s bakery and agri-food supply chains
Partnership Brings Together Farming and Milling Expertise
Hemelter Ireland forms part of the family-owned Hemelter Mühle group, which has milled flour in Germany since 1892. The company has supplied Irish bakeries for more than two decades and currently provides around 40,000 tonnes of flour annually. Its wider group operates five milling sites across Germany and Poland.
Ballycarney Grain Ltd. is operated by brothers Andrew and Raymond Kavanagh from their family tillage farm. The business sources, dries and stores grain from approximately 150 farmers across the South-East, while also providing agronomy support from seed selection through to harvest.
Named after the River Slaney, Slaney Flour says its ambition is rooted in the Wexford farming community: “Rooted in Wexford. Milled for Ireland.”
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Government Welcomes Boost for Food Security
Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, described the investment as an important project for Ireland’s indigenous food sector. He said expanded milling capacity could strengthen supply chains, improve resilience and support competitiveness.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon TD linked the development to the ambitions of Food Vision 2030. He said the mill could create new opportunities for tillage farmers, support food security and strengthen the connection between Irish agriculture, enterprise and consumers.
Minister James Browne TD said the investment represented confidence in Ballycarney and the wider Wexford region. He also highlighted the county’s agricultural heritage and its role in food production, processing and innovation.
Enterprise Ireland Executive Director Mark Christal said the sod-turning marked the beginning of significant investment in Ireland’s food infrastructure and would help safeguard food security. The project is also expected to have a positive impact across the South-East and the wider indigenous food sector.
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What the Project Means for Irish Agriculture
The Ballycarney development could provide a stronger route to market for locally grown wheat, although the full impact will depend on the mill’s future sourcing arrangements and production plans. It nevertheless demonstrates how collaboration between an indigenous agricultural business, international milling specialists and public-sector partners can support regional development.
The project also aligns with broader priorities involving the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Enterprise Ireland and Ireland’s national food-security strategy. By locating processing capacity near farming communities, the facility may help create a more connected supply chain from field to finished food product.
Conclusion
The new Irish flour mill in Ballycarney is more than a regional construction project: it is a strategic investment in domestic food production, farmer opportunities and supply-chain resilience. As work progresses, Slaney Flour will be closely watched by Ireland’s farming, bakery and agri-food sectors. The key takeaway is clear: expanding Irish milling capacity could help Ireland produce more of the flour it uses, closer to home.
Article/Image Courtesy: Enterprise Ireland
