Confidence in food export growth sees 'marked decline' 

This is despite food and drink exports hitting a record high in 2025 of €19bn

Bord Bia CEO Jim O’Toole with junior minister Noel Grealish at the launch of the report. Picture: Peter Houlihan/Fennells

There has been a “marked decline” in food and drink exporter confidence over potential growth in the coming year despite the sector hitting new highs of €19bn in exports during 2025, a report by Bord Bia shows.

The strong performance in the sector comes in spite of difficult trading global conditions, largely due to the imposition of tariffs, as well as extreme weather events, persistent inflation, and shifting consumer behaviour.

Figures from Bord Bia’s Export Performance and Prospects Report 2025/2026 shows that Irish food, drink, and horticulture exports increased by 12% last year.  

The report contained a chief executive sentiment survey that captured responses from 62 companies representing €9.5bn in food and drink exports across Ireland.

When asked about their expectation for export growth during 2026, just over half, 53%, said they expect some level of expansion which was down from 74% in previous year.

Direct of client and stakeholder engagement at Bord Bia John Murray said “as we enter 2026, we see more cautious outlook versus recent years, and really reflecting the persistent cost pressures due to geopolitical uncertainty and softening consumer demand”.

He said the survey shows there has been a “marked decline” in company confidence in growth during 2026 and “while only one in five anticipate any contraction, the shift from a kind of strong optimism to more cautious growth reflects a reassessment of market conditions”.

“While sentiment has softened, the overall outlook for 2026 still remains cautiously optimistic," he said. 

The survey also found that 39% of companies believe their competitiveness will erode in 2026, compared with the past 12 months, driven predominantly by escalating labour costs, ongoing inflation, higher energy prices, and challenges in securing sufficient skilled workers.

In terms of investment, Mr Murray said almost 40% of companies are reporting delayed planned investments "until greater clarity emerges, particularly around inflation, tariffs and regulatory developments". 

During 2025, meat and livestock exports increased by 18% over the year to €5bn driven by beef and live exports. 

However, not all meat categories saw an increase during the year with pigmeat declining 3% and sheepmeat down 15%.

Dairy exports also rose by 14% to €7.3bn, supported by improved dairy prices in the first half of the year, and a strong grass-growing season throughout which boosted milk production.

Prepared consumer foods exports increased by 9% to €3.6bn driven by strong performance in chocolate confectionery, juices, carbonated beverages, and meal solutions. 

Drinks exports recorded a marginal increase of 2% to €2bn, despite shifting trade dynamics, particularly in the US market.

Seafood exports rose by 9% to €635m, however, Bord Bia said the sector faces increased challenges ahead as quotas look set to be significantly reduced for some species. 

Horticulture and cereals exports increased marginally to €330m.

Exports to the EU increased strongly by 16% in 2025 to €7.1bn, accounting for 37% of total Irish food, drink, and horticulture export value. 

The UK remained Ireland’s largest single export destination, with export values rising by 14% to €6.7bn, representing 35% of total exports.