Bord Bia report: Diners want health and indulgence on menu
The ‘Eating Out of Home’ report predicts Ireland’s foodservice market will grow from a record €7.5bn this year to more than €9bn by 2020.
Bord Bia links the soaring food consumption in restaurants, hotels, workplace catering and vending machines to the low 8% unemployment rate and the continuation of 9% VAT for hospitality.
Bord Bia foodservice specialist, Maureen Gahan said: “It has been a bumper year for Irish foodservice.
"The foodservice market has witnessed a growth rate of over 5% per year for over the past number of years, with both consumer and business tourist numbers fuelling major growth in urban centres.”
Respondents said ‘out of home’ consumers, while craving indulgence, also look for ‘natural’ ingredients, by which they mean transparency rather than lower fat or lower calories.
Bord Bia notes quick service restaurants have been a target for criticism regarding the national focus on obesity and health concerns.
The report says the potential mandatory inclusion of calorie counts on menus as well as a tax on sugar-sweetened drinks coming into effect in 2018 will force outlets to create healthier menus.
Bord Bia also published its Irish Foodservice Market Directory. With profiles of 100 operators and wholesale distributors, the directory is part of Bord Bia’s Ireland Market Foodservice Programme to help food suppliers connect with the foodservice.
