Irish Artisan Foods Sector Reviewed

In a recent Mintel report on the Artisan Foods Ireland, the forecast size of the speciality food market in the ROI is €449 million. Irish consumers are showing interest in Artisan foods for a combination of reasons like health and provenance as well as a wish to support local enterprises. However, according to Mintel Artisan foods are still perceived as a luxury and/or gifting items.

This compares to the overall grocery market in ROI that Kantar Value at €7.1 billion for the year ending March 2012. The growth in mainstream supermarket own brand food ranges, including premium ranges that use local producers to highlight the provenance of the product is impacting on artisan food sales, as these brands are trying to tap into the story behind the food product that originated in the artisan food culture.

Small food companies are demonstrating resilience through this recession with 76% of small food business viewing their prospects as good or very good and have as a sector seen a growth of 7%.

The Artisan Food Market is an established feature at Bloom and is extremely popular with visitors to the show. A true showcase for the finest artisan foods Ireland has to offer, it gives visitors an unparalleled food shopping experience with 60 Irish Artisan Producers, many of whom are new to the market in 2012. The market stalls are run by the producers themselves which provides a unique opportunity for visitors to learn first-hand about the products on offer and how best to prepare them.

Source: Bord Bia Irish Food Board - Irish Artisan Foods Sector Reviewed