SMEs are now being invited to share their views and inform a key set of funding recommendations to the European Commission for the sector.

More than 90% of some 1,100 food-producing companies in Ireland are SMEs, representing a greater regional spread than any other manufacturing sector.

The TRADEIT Network, an EU initiative to drive growth in the SME food producers sector, led by the Institute of Technology in Tralee, is inviting SMEs to put forward a strategic research and innovation agenda (SRIA) for the sector.

TRADEIT has been engaged in an EU-wide consultation with SME food producers since 2013 to identify the innovation opportunities, needs and challenges of traditional food-based enterprises.

Key issues

Issues repeatedly highlighted are business and organisational issues, including lack of time for dedicated innovation activities, lack of innovation awareness and access to new knowledge, skill and knowledge deficiencies on growth management, new markets and strategic internationalisation, and new business models and e-commerce.

More than 150 small Irish food producers have been actively involved with this project to date, with 850 in total across nine EU countries.

TRADEIT lead at IT Tralee Dr Helena McMahon commented on the current situation with the submission, urging all micro and SME food producers to have their say.

“It is clearly evident that the needs of these small to micro SMEs differ greatly from the larger food industry and require specific innovation supports and actions. We urgently need further feedback from micro and SME food producers to ensure that their needs are met,” she said.

“This is a unique opportunity for small Irish food producers to share their views.”

Future of SMEs

Feedback will be incorporated and a prioritised list of investment needs will be submitted to the European Commission. This will include research and innovation objectives, specific research projects, research mobility actions, R&D infrastructure improvement, resource sharing and the identification of potential joint collaborative research and innovation projects.

The submission will be followed by an intensive dissemination campaign and discussions with key decision makers toward creating awareness of the needs of the sector and stimulating funding and policy discussions for the benefit of regional SME food producers.

Are you an SME food producer in Ireland?

If so, the SRIA document may be requested from the TRADEIT website here and can be submitted to Professor Brian McKenna at SRIA@tradeitnetwork.eu until 11 February 2016.