Ireland’s food and drink sector is entering a decisive period, and the latest Enterprise Ireland gathering shows why innovation is moving from ambition to necessity. At Croke Park, the annual summit brought industry leaders, researchers and scaling businesses together to examine how practical investment in AI, research and workforce capability can protect competitiveness in a tougher global market, with support and policy context reflected across gov.ie and the wider public sector.
The event arrives after another strong year for exports, with Food, Drink, Nutrition and ClimateTech exports reported at €16.98 billion in 2025, up 5%. That momentum matters not only to exporters but to regional economies, where food production remains a major employer. For policymakers across Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Agriculture, Finance and Rural and Community Development, the message is clear: sustained growth now depends on how fast firms can adapt to changing consumer demand, cost pressure and technology adoption.
Why gov.ie priorities matter for the food innovation agenda
The summit’s agenda closely mirrors the strategic themes often seen across gov.ie, from productivity and regional development to sustainability and digital transformation. Enterprise Ireland positioned the event around what businesses can directly influence:
- Investment in innovation and R&D
- Adoption of AI for planning and operational performance
- Skills and capability building across the workforce
- Faster responses to changing consumer preferences
Ministers linked the discussion to long-term competitiveness, highlighting the role of Government-backed supports and public research infrastructure. That alignment is relevant for organisations working with Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia, Teagasc and agencies tied to Agriculture, Further and Higher Education and Public Expenditure.
Read more: Irish export outlook and business growth trends
Key themes from the Croke Park summit
1. AI is becoming practical, not experimental
One of the strongest themes was the use of AI in food and drink operations. Rather than abstract future talk, discussions focused on real-world planning, margin protection and performance management. For Irish manufacturers dealing with input volatility, that practical lens is essential.
2. Consumer demand is shifting fast
Speakers also examined how health-led purchasing trends are changing product development. Growing interest in high-protein, high-fibre, lower-sugar and portion-controlled products is reshaping innovation pipelines, with the Health Service Executive (HSE) policy environment and broader Health discussions likely to remain part of that backdrop.
3. Skills may be the deciding factor
Innovation cannot scale without people. The summit highlighted concern that highly skilled graduates from Ireland’s food research ecosystem are being absorbed into other sectors. That raises important questions for Education, Solas, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and industry-led workforce planning.
Explore: How AI and workforce skills are reshaping Irish industry
Discovery Zone and startup pitches add practical value
A notable addition this year was the Discovery Zone, designed as an interactive space where companies could explore available supports for their innovation journey. That hands-on model reflects a broader push across gov.ie-linked enterprise programmes to make State supports easier to access and easier to use.
The summit also featured startup pitches from emerging businesses including Key2Biotics, Ryse Chocolates, Talio and Gigi Supplements. Their presence underlined a wider point: innovation in food is not limited to major exporters. Smaller firms and high-potential startups are increasingly central to the pipeline of new products, new formats and new market opportunities.
Explore: Startups and innovation trends shaping food and drink
What this means for Irish business and government
The broader significance of the event extends beyond one sector. As agencies such as Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, the Revenue Commissioners, the CSO and the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) track growth, investment and competitiveness, food and drink remains a critical part of Ireland’s indigenous economy. Supportive ecosystems involving Bord Bia, Teagasc, research centres and third-level institutes will be vital if companies are to move from discussion to execution.
For businesses, the takeaway is straightforward: waiting is no longer a strategy. For policymakers and readers following gov.ie updates, the summit reinforces that resilience in Irish enterprise will depend on better use of innovation supports, stronger digital capability and deeper skills investment. In that sense, the Croke Park event was more than an industry gathering; it was a clear signal of where the next phase of growth will come from.
Read more: Public sector supports helping Irish enterprises scale
