Ireland’s agri-food industry remains a key component of her modern economy. It accounts for some eight per cent (8%) of GDP and a similar proportion of total employment, amounting to almost 160,000 jobs. It accounts for a major proportion of exports of Irish-owned enterprises and its products are sold in over 170 markets around the world.

Please see click on the following links for some interesting articles on the Irish Food & Drink Industry:

• Factsheet on Irish Agriculture for 2011
• Ireland’s Pathways for Growth:
• An Update on Pathways for Growth:
• Ireland’s Export Performance:
• Meat and Livestock Review & Outlook 2011
• Ireland’s Seafood Industry:

Bord Bia’s foresight4food programme aims to support Irish food and drink manufacturers and offers services in three core consumer focused innovation areas – stimulation (Inspiration Expeditions), ideation (professionally facilitated workshops) and validation (consumer testing of new product concepts at varying levels of development). The programme aims to drive growth and innovation in the industry by organising these services, recognising that many companies have limited experience accessing them and need an incentive to incorporate them in their process. http://www.bordbia.ie/industryservices/foresight4food/pages/foresight4foodinnovationprogramme.aspx