Covid-19 presents an "unprecedented challenge" to the food production sector in Ireland, according to Bord Bia.
The organisation, which is responsible for the promotion of Irish food globally, has announced supports for producers and food and drink manufacturers.
Lost sales across Europe are now close to €7bn to some of Ireland's key export countries, Bord Bia said.
The food sector is one of the key drivers of the Irish economy, food and drinks exports hit a record €13bn last year.
Retail demand here is up, but the widespread closure of the food service sector across Europe is hitting Irish companies hard.
In the beef sector, demand for lower value cuts like mince may have increased, but sales of higher value cuts like steaks have practically disappeared.
The dairy sector is predicting that expensive and hard-to-find cold storage facilities will present problems in the weeks to come, as it reaches peak summer milk production.
With 3.5 billion people in lockdown, learning about changing consumer habits will help producers prepare for changing demands, and possibly save their businesses.
Bord Bia has put in place financial and research based supports to help.
It is hoped that its 'Navigating Change' programme, which it publishes today, will help Irish companies through the difficult period ahead.
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Meanwhile, the Deputy President of the ICMSA has said he would be concerned about the downward pressure on prices for the rest of the year, but he said he believes dairy farmers are "lucky" to be able to continue carrying out their work amidst the coronavirus crisis.
Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Seán O'Rourke, Lorcan McCabe from Bailieboro in Co Cavan said skimmed milk has dropped by 25%.
Banks will have to support farmers in June, July and August, Mr McCabe said, "to facilitate us and keep money in circulation."
Mr McCabe said he was "grateful" for being able to continue farming in light of strict measures in place due to Covid-19.
He said: "This is the one time farmers have an advantage. Most of us are in the countryside, and we are isolated on the best of days. The people who collect my milk are the most important people in my life at the moment."
These people should be protected, Mr McCabe said, to make sure that milk can continue to be processed.
In relation to the "dumping" of milk which is reportedly happening in the UK, Mr McCabe said he is "99% sure that won't happen here."
He explained that just 10% of Ireland's milk supply goes into the "high-end market of hotels and cafes" which he said have been the hardest hit so far in this crisis.
On the same programme, Jolene Smith, a beef and lamb farmer, in Co Cavan warned that there should be no importing of beef into Ireland, as she said Irish beef farmers "are well fit to cater for the need of people in this country".
She said: "The bottom line is we don't have money to keep going in beef", as she warned that the majority of farmers are having to accept the price offered to them at the factory, because factors like patchy broadband, and the average age of farmers being 62, mean that many are "not the category to be online buying and selling cattle".
Farmers do not have facilities to cater for an increase of calves on farms at the moment Ms Smith said, "And they have to move them off dairy farms".
Farmers can apply for payment scheme
Farmers can apply for the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment, according to the Irish Farmers Association.
The organisation has said that if a farmer has incurred a substantial loss of income, they can avail of the scheme. The IFA says thata it received clarification on the issue from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.
According to the IFA, farmers who cannot sell their stock, affecting income, can apply for the scheme. Farmers can also apply for the payment if they have lost off-farm income.
The IFA says the Department has clarified the following:
- Full-time farmers who had ceased trading (ie unable to sell or buy animals, crops or other produce) as a result of the pandemic are entitled to the payment of €350 per week.
- Part-time farmers who have lost off-farm employment as a result of the pandemic are entitled to the payment of €350 per week.
- A farmer in receipt of Farm Assist payments is not entitled to Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment. However, if their income has deteriorated as a result of restrictions or loss of income, they can look for a reassessment of the Farm Assist.
- A farmer in receipt of Rural Social Scheme is not entitled to Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment, but the existing payment is maintained.
- A farmer and/or spouse in receipt of Carers Allowance and Carers Benefit, including those who are working fewer than 18 hours per week, who have "ceased trading" or lost their employment can claim the payment of €350 per week.
- A farmer in receipt of Disability Allowance that has "ceased trading" or lost employment is entitled to the payment. The payment will be adjusted to take account of the Disability Allowance payment.
IFA Farm Family and Social Affairs Chair Caroline Farrell welcomed the development.
She said: "We have been receiving numerous calls from full and part-time farmers who were getting different messages regarding eligibility even from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. It is important to have clarity."
Ms Farrell said she knew of many cattle and beef farmers who are not in a position to sell stock as there are no public mart auctions. "I would encourage these farmers to apply for the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment," she added.
