A seven-point 'Resilience Framework' has been launched at the Irish Drinks Forum 2025, to give drinks businesses a practical toolkit to future-proof against economic, environmental and trade shocks.
The two day form which is taking place at the BIA Innovator Campus in Athenry, brings together voices from industry, government and research.
Attendees will explore how Irish producers across whiskey, beer, cider, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks can thrive in the face of mounting challenges, from global tariff risks, inflation and raw-material volatility and climate pressures.
Ireland’s drinks industry now accounts for almost half of total food-and-drink export value, while also sustaining 38,000 direct and indirect jobs.
"2025 is a year of considerable challenges for the Irish drinks sector," said Eoin O'Cathain, director of the Irish Whiskey Association at Ibec.
"The focus on resilience of this year's Irish Drinks Forum has never been timelier, and the opportunity to connect and learn with our colleagues and friends has never been more important," he added.
Exports of Irish-made drinks hit record levels last year, with whiskey alone topping €1 billion.
However, Mr O'Cathain pointed out that volatility in input costs, climate-related crop pressures, and turbulence in international trade are intensifying.
