A ten-year Delphi forecast of the Irish Speciality Food Market

The speciality food sector affords small agri-businesses the opportunity to operate in a growing niche market that satisfies consumer demands for high quality artisan foods. In this research the Delphi Technique was used to forecast growth in the Irish Speciality Food Market five and ten years into the future. The expert panel forecast that the Irish Speciality Food Market would grow by 65 per cent over the next ten years, with the most significant growth in the cured meats, yoghurt and cheese categories. The forecast indicated that sales through delicatessen or speciality food stores would be worth €47 million by 2010. The Irish Speciality Food Market's growth rate between 2000 and 2005 was forecast to be faster than the growth between 2005 and 2010.