Welcome to the February edition of Bord Bia's Ireland Market Foodservice Newsletter.
This month sees the return of CATEX to the RDS (from Tuesday 21st to Thursday 23rd February), with anticipation building for the ability to to meet in person and discuss all things foodservice over the course of the three days – an opportunity to network and to reconnect.
Trend of the Month
The ongoing rise of Low & No Alcohol
As 2023 marches on into February, many will welcome the end of ‘dry’ January commitments, while others will continue in their shift away from alcohol on an ongoing basis.
We’ve included reference in our newsletter to the fact Drinks Ireland are now showing that non-alcoholic beer sales in Ireland have more than tripled between 2017 and 2021, from 1.79M to 5.55M litres and that the market share for non-alcoholic beer has soared by a whopping 275% during this period – growing from 0.4% to 1.5%.
Interesting to note that other beer loving countries have also embraced the trend, with indications that there is still plenty of room for further growth in this category in Ireland.
Germany is the largest and most developed market for no and low alcohol beer, claiming a market share of 11.8% of the total beer category.
In Spain, no and low alcohol beers have a market share of 10.6%.
Musgrave Marketplace research published in December 2022 revealed that the younger generation is leading the way when it comes to the growth in zero alcohol category, with 30% of 18-24 year old Gen Zs actively trying to drink less for health reasons
General Industry News
Ireland's Largest Foodservice and Hospitality Expo, CATEX, Returns 21st - 23rd February
Hospitality Ireland – 07.02.2023
CATEX, Ireland's largest foodservice and hospitality event, returns to the RDS, Dublin from Tuesday 21st - Thursday 23rd February 2023, with a firm focus on showcasing opportunities for businesses to thrive. The destination to experience product innovation, for three days visitors will have the opportunity to meet and reconnect with over 270 suppliers, network with industry stakeholders, source new energy saving and waste management tech, and watch hundreds of chefs and baristas compete on a national stage. Established in 1965, CATEX, which is supported by Bunzl McLaughlin and Calor, has firmly cemented its reputation as the ultimate destination for the hospitality and foodservice industry and promises the opportunity to discover, network and drive profitability for your business.
Irish economy grows three times faster than euro zone average in 2022
RTE.ie – 31.01.2023
The EU's statistical agency, Eurostat, has estimated that the euro area economy, measured by GDP, grew by 0.1% in the last three months of last year compared to the previous three months. Across 2022, Eurostat estimates that the euro area economy grew by 3.5% of GDP. Ireland's economy, boosted by the performance of multinationals, grew by 12.2% - three and a half times faster than the euro area average. The Irish economy also grew by 3.5% of GDP in the final quarter of 2022 compared to the euro area average of 0.1%.
Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) & Pub Sector
Ireland Continues To Embrace 0.0% Beer As 'Dry January' Grows In Popularity
Hospitality Ireland – 12.01.2023
With "Dry January" becoming increasingly popular in recent years and many people taking part this month, the latest data indicates that Irish people are continuing to embrace non-alcoholic beer and other no or low alcohol alternatives. As more and more consumers opt to choose 0.0% beer, Ireland's brewers have responded by producing non-alcoholic beers in recent years. This has resulted in an unprecedented choice of 0.0% beers for consumers. Figures compiled by Drinks Ireland show that non-alcoholic beer sales in Ireland have more than tripled between 2017 and 2021, from 1.79 million to 5.55 million litres.
Profits surge at McDonald’s Irish business
Irish Times – 05.01.2023
Operating profits at the Irish arm of fast food giant McDonald’s increased more than three-fold to €19.63 million in 2021. New accounts show that McDonald’s Restaurants of Ireland Ltd benefited from the easing of Covid-19 restrictions in 2021 as revenues surged 39 per cent to €67.13 million. The firm’s revenues for 2021 recovered to such an extent that they were almost on a par with pre-Covid revenues of €69 million in 2019. The business is planning to build on those gains, with the directors stating that “the company anticipates further expansion of its operations in the Republic of Ireland”. The McDonald’s business here is now entirely based on franchised restaurants. The last owner-operated McDonald’s closed permanently at Dublin Airport on February 28th, 2022.The number of franchised restaurants at the end of December 2021 was 94.
Hotel & Restaurant Sector
Michelin Guide Announces New Irish Additions and 2023 Launch Date
Hospitality Ireland – 26.01.2023
Michelin has announced that its new restaurant selection for the 2023 Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland will be revealed at an event on Monday 27 March, with new Irish additions to the guide. Ahead of the 27 March launch event, Michelin has revealed 24 new additions to its guide, including five venues on the island of Ireland. In the Republic of Ireland, the Bishop’s Buttery, in the Cashel Palace Hotel, Co. Tipperary, and Terre, in Castlemartyr Resort, Co. Cork, have been added to the guide.
Award-winning Galway restaurant Loam closing over ‘insane’ business costs
The Irish Times – 31.01.2023
Galway has lost one of its best-known and highly regarded restaurants with the announcement by the owners of Loam that it will not be reopening. In a statement on the Michelin-starred restaurant’s website, Enda McEvoy and Sinead Meacle said that after eight years they had been offered the opportunity to be released from their lease and had decided to avail of it as “the cost of running such a large space right now is insane and it doesn’t look like it’s going to get any easier”.
Contract Catering Sectors
Highly Anticipated Aramark Showcase Returns to CATEX
Hospitality Ireland 26.01.2023
One of the largest buyers in the Irish foodservice sector, Aramark, is returning to CATEX this year with the highly anticipated Aramark Producer and New Supplier Showcase, which will give participating companies an incredible opportunity to present new products and solutions to a panel of industry experts. Following the first-round review of entries, shortlisted companies will take to the stage at CATEX to present their ideas in a bid to impress a number of Aramark judges spanning the culinary, purchasing, operations and finance sectors
Deliveroo Appoints Helen Maher as Regional Director for Ireland
Hospitality Ireland – 30.01.2023
Deliveroo Ireland has announced the appointment of Helen Maher as its new regional director in Ireland, as it sets its sights on continued growth in the country in 2023. In this role, Maher will build on the company’s commitment to this key market, working with more than 3,000 self-employed riders and over 1,800 restaurants across the country. Maher, originally from Dublin, joined Deliveroo from Expedia Group, where she accumulated over ten years of experience, most recently as director of market management in London. During this time, she oversaw the commercial teams responsible for growing lodging partner business and market share in the region. Prior to this, she was Expedia Group’s area manager for Ireland and Wales.