In a difficult environment for food businesses, Keith Symes appears to have it all figured out. The Wicklow man set up his company, Sussed Nutrition, in 2017. Today its range of oils, condiments and vegan treats are sold nationally in stores such as Dunnes, Tesco and SuperValu.
However, the challenges faced by small food producers such as Symes are growing fast. Though he grows his own rapeseed, for example, he must also buy it in, and prices have more than doubled, from €370 to €750 a ton. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is only the latest in a series of events stoking inflation.
“There have been several weather-related shocks, attributed to climate change, plus spiraling input costs such as fertiliser and fuel. Fertiliser alone has risen