Eight out of 10 companies in the sector are recruiting as they expand.

The rate of growth in the food and drink sectors is starting to result in a skills famine as company’s struggle to find the right staff to support their growth.

According to the Deloitte Food & Beverage Survey 2013, eight out of 10 companies in the sector are recruiting as they expand in to new markets.

The majority of companies surveyed indicated that they are recruiting up to 10 people, some of the larger companies are recruiting in excess of 100 people.

More than 40% of these companies on a recruitment drive have reported that they are struggling to find sales and marketing, research and development, and innovation and product development professionals.

Head of Deloitte Consulting, David Hearn, said the companies have come through the worst of the recession and are now focusing on the future: “In the last year, the Irish food and beverage industry has experienced challenges including fragile consumer sentiment and the high cost of doing business.

“What emerges from these findings, however, is that Irish companies are positive about the future so they are actively recruiting and investing in their businesses. Respondents identified the reputation of the Irish food industry as the biggest opportunity for companies when entering new markets.”

Entering into new markets has been the driver of recruitment, with companies requiring personnel to sell their goods in new regions and develop new products to meet the needs of overseas customers.

When probed on the biggest challenges when entering new markets, just over a quarter of respondents (28%) cited competition from indigenous brands as the top challenge.

This was followed by lack of market expertise (21%) and distribution and channel models (17%). Just 7% indicated competition from multinational brands as their biggest challenge.