The Irish agri-food sector includes primary agriculture, food and drink processing and manufacturing, fisheries, aquaculture and fish processing, forestry and forestry processing and the equine sector. It is Ireland’s oldest and largest indigenous industry. In 2020, the sector accounted for almost 7% of GNI* and 10% of exports in value terms. At primary production level, some 137,500 farms, over 770,000 hectares of forest, over 2,000 fishing vessels and some 180 aquaculture sites produced an estimated €8.5 billion in output in 2019.

The agri-food sector grew substantially over the past decade, with Irish food and drink exports increasing from by 60% from €8.9 billion in 2010 to €14.2 billion in 2020. The sector produces food and ingredients with a global reputation for quality and safety, with a livestock sector built on an enviable grass based production system. Global demand for high quality food is increasing with population, urbanization and affluence, and the Irish agri-food sector is well placed to play a role in meeting this demand.

The broad agri-food sector also has a key role in protecting our climate and environment. Facing into the decade to 2030, the agri-food sector can make significant and urgent improvements in its environmental footprint. With leadership from stakeholders, the sector can take the steps necessary to improve its environmental performance and protect and enhance its reputation as a sustainable producer of quality food. It will also mean that Ireland can take a leading position internationally as an advocate of Sustainable Food Systems.

The Food Vision 2030 Strategy was developed with this context in mind, and aims to balance economic, social and environmental sustainability under a holistic Food Systems approach.