The event catering sector in Ireland experienced consistent growth from 2013 to 2019, with values increasing from €222.8 million to €347.8 million. However, 2020 saw a significant decline of 25.33% due to the COVID-19 pandemic, dropping to €259.7 million. The sector rebounded strongly in 2021 with a 28.73% increase and continued to grow in subsequent years, reaching €441.1 million in 2023. This marks a notable year-on-year variation of 12.3% for 2023.
Forecasts from 2024 suggest continued growth, with values expected to reach €537.7 million by 2028. The forecasted CAGR over the next five years stands at 2.93%, indicating a steady average annual growth rate.
Future trends to watch for include:
- Increasing demand for more personalized and unique catering experiences.
- Growing importance of sustainability and locally sourced ingredients.
- Potential impacts of economic fluctuations and consumer spending behavior.
- Technological advancements in food preparation and service delivery.
