Food and Drink is a £5.4 billion industry in Northern Ireland and is the region’s largest manufacturer. Our success is down to our pure, lush countryside, and farmers and producers who are dedicated to traceability and passionate about quality.
It’s a progressive industry based on family farms and fishing businesses, as well as award-winning enterprising food and drink producers, focused on original products.
Northern Ireland boasts high-quality raw ingredients, state-of-the-art processing facilities and a world-class food security record which major retailers demand. Our award-winning food and drink comes with full traceability from farm to fork.
We're passionate about our food and want to share that passion with you!
Find out more information about Northern Ireland food and drink and a directory of suppliers
Areas of expertise
Meat
Area of sector expertise
- Beef & sheepmeat
- Poultrymeat
- Pigmeat
- Fish
- Production of primal and retail products such as steaks, burgers, bacon, joints, chicken and fish for supply to retail multiples and the foodservice sector locally and internationally.
- World-class traceability and food security.
- Pure, lush countryside, and farmers and producers dedicated to traceability, passionate about quality, with world-leading standards of animal welfare.
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Dairy
Area of sector expertise
- Milk
- Yogurt
- Butter
- Cheese
- Production of milk, yogurt, butter, cheese, powders and other products for supply to retail multiples and foodservice sector locally and internationally.
- World-class traceability and food security.
- Pure, lush countryside, and farmers and producers who are dedicated to traceability, passionate about quality, and have world-leading standards of animal welfare
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Drinks
Area of sector expertise
- Spirits
- Beers, ciders & RTD's
- Soft drinks
- Tea & coffee
- We produce a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages including Irish whiskey, gin, vodka, poitín, beer, cider, tea, coffee, juices, water and soft drinks.
- Our Irish whiskey production is in the midst of a vibrant renaissance, growing from one distillery a decade ago to nearly 10 functioning distilleries and more in development.
- The world-class quality of drinks produced in Northern Ireland has been recognised through multiple global awards across all categories.
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Other
Area of sector expertise
- Bakery
- Fruit & veg
- Animal feeds
- Horticulture
- Packaging
- We produce a diverse range of quality products, from baked goods to pre-prepared mash and vegetables and from tailored animal feeds to the finest cut flowers.
- Northern Ireland boasts high-quality raw ingredients, state-of-the-art processing facilities and the world-class food security record, which major retailers demand.
- Our food and drink regularly features in global awards for outstanding taste.
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Access to world-class research centres of excellence
Northern Ireland is home to a number of centres of excellence undertaking industrially relevant research and channelling university expertise into the development of sophisticated products and processes to assist the growth of companies in our food and drink sector.
These include:
Northern Ireland for foreign direct investment
Northern Ireland is an attractive place for investment in the food and drink sector thanks to a combination of factors including skills availability, excellent infrastructure, cost-effectiveness and a supportive business environment. To find out more, visit our Invest in Northern Ireland section.
Connect with a member of our Food team on LinkedIn.
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Sonali HuleTrade and Investment Manager
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Why Northern Ireland?
Northern Ireland is home to more than 1,500 international companies and is an ideal location for business expansion. We also have experienced exporters whose globally recognised products and services can be found in over 100 countries. -
Our sectors
Northern Ireland has expertise across a range of sectors, including digital technologies such as fintech, cyber security and AI; in advanced manufacturing sectors like aerospace and materials handling and across a wide range of professional services. -
City and growth deals
Over the next few years, Northern Ireland will benefit from a package of investment from four city and growth deals. The combined funding from the Northern Ireland Executive and UK government will total £1.3bn, which will be complemented by private sector and other sources of funding.