Current food trends
 

Consumer attitudes

PERIscope is Bord Bia’s comprehensive review of food attitudes, shopping and cooking trends amongst a nationally representative sample of adults. In the PERIscope 2013 survey which looked at consumer attitudes to foods, 91% of adults in the ROI reported that they considered dairy products to be important part of their diet, 93% said they tried to eat a lot of fruit and vegetables, 84% said they always try to eat high fibre foods, 78% said they try to eat foods that are low in fat and 73% said they tended to avoid sugary foods/sweet.

Food choice

Taste and Health & Nutrition were reported as the top considerations when it came to food choice in Ireland in the National Adult Nutrition Survey 2011.  In this survey, participants were requested to rank six food choice motives based on importance to them when making their food selections - taste, cost (price), health and nutrition, convenience, feel good (mood), and weight control. Taste (41%) followed by health and nutrition (36%) were considered the most important motives by the majority (77%) of adults. There were no significant differences between men and women, with the exception of weight control where more women said this was the most important consideration for them. These findings show that while many Irish consumers place high importance on health and nutrition, many others are reluctant to compromise on taste.

Grocery shopping

Due to the recent financial crises in Ireland, families have moved more towards supermarket chains such as Lidl and Aldi to do their grocery shopping. Recent figures published in the report Tomorrow’s Shopper by An Bord Bia (2013) suggest that the growth of the discounter supermarkets such as Lidl and Aldi will continue for 2013/2014. 

There is also an increasing trend towards on-line grocery shopping whereby the groceries are purchased online and delivered to the home. Also the use of smart phones has increased dramatically in Ireland with consumers using apps such as the Good Guide to scan products in store to read how well they are rated in terms of health, environment and social aspects. Supermarket chain SuperValu has also launched its own app allowing customers to order their groceries from a tablet or mobile phone.

Ireland and the UK have strong trade links, with the UK being Ireland’s largest trading partner. Approximately 30% of Irish imports come from Britain. The British retailer Tesco’s commands approximately 30% of the Irish retail market.

According to An Bord Bia’s report Tomorrow’s Shopper (2013) the Bon Secours hospital in Cork, is offering supermarket tours by qualified Dietitians to help educate shoppers about how to make positive choices when they're shopping. The tours are particularly aimed at people with cholesterol, diabetes, coeliac disease, food allergies, and other special diets.

Eating in or dining out

Most Irish people eat at home, but many people are eating out of home (restaurant, pub, coffee shop and take away or other people’s homes) more frequently.

Take away meals have become increasingly popular as a substitute for home-cooked meals. The ‘Chinese’ has for many years been a firm favourite, almost as popular as the fish and chips. In recent years Asian takeaways have become popular (Indian particularly), and the scope has widened with the influx of immigrants in recent years.

Ireland also has its share of fast food. Besides the now traditional fish and chips, the big chains like McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, Subway, and Pizza Hut are here in force, having followed in the tracks of Irish-originated fast-food chains like Abrakebabra and Supermacs. There are also rapidly growing sandwich chains like O’Brien’s.

Sources: An Bord Bia, European cuisines, Irish Universities Nutrition Alliance