The Latest News from the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards

The Irish grocery sector saw a 5.7% sales uplift in early summer 2025, boosted by warm weather and June bank holidays, with shoppers favouring premium own-label products amid persistent price inflation and cautious spending.

We are thrilled to unveil the shortlist for this year’s Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards.

The Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards are renowned for recognising and celebrating the best food products in Irish retail, wholesale and foodservice sectors. However, it is the individuals and teams behind these products’ development, production and distribution that makes them award winning. It is in recognition of this that we have included the performance awards to the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards line-up. 

Chipotle BBQ Pizza recipe, created in collaboration with easyFood Magazine, featuring award-winning Small Producers' products...

We are delighted to announce that we have secured a brand new Media Partnership with the Irish Bakery Association.

Climate and food experts predict that by 2050, AI-powered personalised meal planning, 3D food printing, and urban agriculture will overhaul traditional shopping and cooking, driving a shift towards sustainable, zero-waste food systems amid growing climate challenges.

BASF and Metpack introduce Ezycompost, a certified home-compostable coated paper solution designed for food packaging. This innovation offers high performance, FDA compliance, and reduced microplastic pollution, while supporting sustainable practices in the food sector.

Twenty-five new food and drink businesses from the Food Academy programme have launched products in SuperValu stores nationwide with 52-week listings, boosting local entrepreneurship and projecting €30m in sales growth for 2025.

SuperValu has launched a rapid grocery delivery service in partnership with Uber Eats, starting at its Lucan store and soon expanding to eight more stores in Dublin and Limerick. Customers can now receive thousands of products within forty minutes, meeting growing demand for quick and convenient online shopping.

Entries close at midnight on Friday 2 May 2025...

Looking to grow your network, share your expertise, and taste some of Ireland’s best food and drink? We're inviting professionals to join the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards judging panel...

Too Good To Go marks Earth Day by celebrating Irish businesses actively tackling food waste. This initiative showcases the environmental importance of reducing waste, as demonstrated by Aldi's milestone of giving away 250,000 Surprise Bags, part of a broader effort to promote sustainability.

Lidl Ireland has announced a €30 million expansion of its supply contract with West Cork-based Keohane Seafoods, enhancing fresh and frozen seafood offerings across 184 stores and exporting to European markets. This growth boosts employment and highlights Lidl's commitment to local partnerships and sustainability.

Creative Nature, known for its allergen-free baking mixes, has partnered with SuperValu, expanding product availability across Ireland. Founder Julianne Ponan MBE shares her excitement and commitment to providing safe, delicious options for individuals with food allergies in SuperValu stores nationwide.

The Italian Trade Agency and Sysco have signed a Marketing Promotional Agreement to enhance the presence of Italian food products in Ireland, reflecting a growing demand for authentic Italian cuisine and reinforcing the brand ‘Made in Italy’ through various marketing initiatives.

Allfresh Wholesale is leading the way in the fresh produce sector by implementing significant reductions in plastic packaging, documenting the elimination of over 666,000 plastic packs while promoting sustainable alternatives. Owner Barra Sweetnam emphasises the necessity of a culture shift towards environmentally friendly practices.

We are delighted to announce that we have secured a brand new Media Partnership with Irishfood Magazine!

SuperValu opens applications for its 2025 Food Academy, aimed at empowering Irish food and drink producers with mentorship, training, and retail insights. The initiative, marking its 12th year, is set to generate €30 million in sales, reflecting growing consumer demand for local products.

We are delighted to announce that we have secured a brand new Media Partnership with The Irish Butchers' Guild.

The Council has approved a €30 million plan to revitalise the historic fruit, vegetable, and flower market on St Mary’s Lane, aiming for completion by 2027, after years of closure and growing public demand for a permanent market space in Dublin 7.

A new street food market named Halt will debut this summer at the former Europa Bus Centre as part of the Weavers Cross project, creating jobs and fostering community engagement. The initiative also includes a community hub, Platform, operated by Co-operation Ireland.

On International Irish Whiskey Day, the Irish Whiskey Association announces over €1 billion in exports and a significant rise in global demand, particularly in India. With a strong heritage, the industry aims to bolster its international appeal and continue its growth trajectory.

A collaborative project funded by the European Union aims to improve consumer understanding of seafood origins, with a focus on transparency in supply chains and sustainable sourcing preferences, amidst declining consumption during the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation challenges.

Over 120 culinary leaders gather to discuss innovations and sustainability in Belfast's food sector at a major workshop organised by the Belfast Food & Drink Collective.

Dublin City Council has unveiled plans for a significant €26 million redevelopment of the 127-year-old fruit and vegetable market near Capel Street, transforming it into a vibrant retail and restaurant hub set to open in late 2027 after years of delays.

A survey by Too Good To Go highlights that over a third of Irish consumers routinely discard food, incurring an average annual loss of €374 per person, as it pushes Ireland closer to its goal of halving food waste by 2030 amidst environmental concerns.

The global clean label ingredients market is booming as consumers increasingly favour natural, preservative-free products. With a projected growth rate of 23.3% in the UK, manufacturers are adjusting to meet rising health-conscious preferences while navigating challenges like production costs and ingredient availability.

We are delighted to announce that we are continuing our partnership with Conquer Digital!

We're excited to introduce a brand-new category at this year's Irish Quality Food & Drink Awards – Enhanced or Fortified Foods.

The world's largest food business event enters its third day, featuring renowned chefs Alain Ducasse and Romain Meder advocating for sustainable plant-based cuisine. The Food500 Summit highlighted global food trade, sustainability, and innovative new products shaping the future of the food industry.

BWG Foodservice anticipates a revenue increase to €250 million by 2025, bolstered by strong sales momentum and the award of National Foodservice Supplier of the Year. The company also addresses sector challenges while launching a new ethical product line in response to changing consumer preferences.

We are delighted to announce that we have secured a partnership with Irish Food Trade Connect!

Compass Group UK and Ireland is expanding its collaboration with Brakes to further invest in the Junior Chef Academy programme, which equips students with essential culinary skills and encourages potential careers in hospitality, impacting around 250 students since its launch.

Farmers in Ireland report extensive crop losses due to Storm Éowyn, with fears of soaring vegetable prices. The Irish Farmers' Association estimates damages at €4.5 million, while experts warn of future food security risks due to rising extreme weather events and ongoing agricultural disruptions.

Bord Iascaigh Mhara has teamed up with Finnish firm SuperGround to upcycle seafood co-products into high-quality food items, aiming to boost sustainability in the Irish seafood sector. Trials are set to begin in March 2025, focusing on pelagic, whitefish, and salmon co-products.

The countdown is on for CATEX 2025, marking 60 years of innovation in foodservice and hospitality. Scheduled for February 18-20, 2025, at the RDS, this premier event promises industry insights, competitions, and networking opportunities with over 270 suppliers.

Aldi introduces Burts Ridges Hand Cooked Guinness Crisps, offering a unique snack experience during the Six Nations tournament.

The Northern Ireland Food and Drink Conference will return on March 4, 2025, alongside several initiatives in tourism. Key events focus on sustainable growth, innovation, and empowering local businesses across multiple sectors.

Dawn Meats invests €1.5 million in solar energy at Waterford site

Aldi Ireland's 2025 Grow With Aldi programme opens applications to support aspiring local producers, aiming to enhance the grocery retail landscape.

The Irish Whiskey Association has initiated a scholarship with Maynooth University to support skill development in brewing and distilling. The programme finances a micro-credential course aimed at providing essential scientific and practical knowledge to drive growth in Ireland's drinks sector.

December saw an unprecedented €1.4 billion spent by families on food and drink, signalling strong consumer confidence and festive spirit. Analysts noted significant increases in alcohol sales and promotional buying, while premium products gained popularity, illustrating a robust retail landscape during the holiday season.

Ireland's food and drink sector achieves a record €17 billion in exports for 2024, marking a 5% growth despite challenges such as inflation and geopolitical instability. Key contributors include dairy, meat, and beverages, with robust increases across various categories.

BWG Foods launches NextGen Entrepreneurs programme to empower retail leaders

Recent studies reveal that plant-based meat alternatives could help combat health issues linked to diets high in red and processed meats. Despite a decline in sales, there is potential for nutritional innovation in this sector, aiming to improve dietary habits in the UK and Ireland.

The food landscape in the UK and Ireland is rapidly evolving, with significant shifts in consumer preferences anticipated by 2025, as health consciousness drives demand for plant-based, fermented, and caffeine-free products, reshaping the culinary scene and market offerings.

Galway-based Divilly Brothers reinforces its partnership with ALDI, introducing new products and expanding its offerings in a renewed €4 million annual contract.

The Irish grocery retail sector recorded a remarkable 6.4% increase in sales during October 2024, with significant growth in key categories as consumers prepared for Halloween and festive celebrations.

Lidl is launching 'Vino Sensoria', an innovative wine tasting event at the Belfast Exposed gallery, aiming to enhance sensory engagement through a series of darkened tastings.

We are delighted to unveil our 2024 winners, highlighting the pinnacle of excellence in Ireland’s food and drink industry!

We are delighted to unveil this year's Christmas category winners!

We are thrilled to announce that the incredible Garron Noone will be hosting this year’s Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards night!

Do you have a background in the Irish food and drink sector, and would like the opportunity to experience some of the country’s best up-and-coming food and drink brands? We would love to hear from you!

Due to popular demand, we have extended this year's entry deadline...

Introducing Seasons of the Glens - the our 2023 Small Producer of the Year Winner, and the organisation behind Devil's Churn Campfire Salted Caramel Sauce.

The mission behind Earth Day is to diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide. Here at the Irish Qs, we don't blind-taste our entrants' products - we take it into consideration when you have been mindful of your carbon footprint when producing your product and its packaging...

Welcome to our first Small Producer Showcase, where we cast a spotlight on Irish food and drink producers that have recently been awarded a Q!

We are delighted to announce that entries into the 2024 Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards are now open!

Introducing a brand new Partner for the Irish Quality Food Awards 2024: thetaste.ie!

This year, our judges were blown away by this product - Devil's Churn Heavenly Good Campfire Salted Caramel Sauce...

We are delighted to announce that our 2023 Awards Ceremony photo gallery is now live!

Join us in Dublin on Wednesday 6 September! The Irish Quality Food Awards are celebrating a significant milestone this year, and we're pulling out all the stops to make it unforgettable. As we mark our 10th anniversary, we are delighted to announce the spectacular venue for our exclusive afterparty, right across the street from where the awards ceremony will take place: 57 Dawson Street.

Meet the 2023 Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards finalists! We are delighted to reveal the shortlist for the 2023 Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards...

A huge thank you to everyone who came along to Leopardstown Racecourse in Dublin, between Monday 26 June to Friday 27 July 2023 to be involved in this year's judging.

After two weeks of sampling hundreds of products at Leopardstown Racecourse in Dublin, we can confirm that judging for this year's Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards is finished! 

At the Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards we are delighted that we could help the community whilst simultaneously reducing our food waste...

This is a final call for entries into this year's Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards! Submit your entry today: Friday 26 May 2023.

We've put together a weekly roundup including a cheeky deadline extension for you, some information on the opportunity to create a product for the Dunnes Stores Simply Better range and a little more information about our judging process, which we hope you'll find useful.

This is one of our favourite categories here at the IQFDAs! Divided into 3 sub-categories, this is an award that recognises excellent cheeses on sale for consumers to purchase here in Ireland... 

This category is for products that can be added to a meal after preparation to enhance the flavour.