Agri-Food Investment Initiative: open for applications
Funding is available for eligible Northern Ireland agri-food businesses to boost productivity, competitiveness and sustainability.
Apply now for agri-food investment funding in Northern Ireland
The Agri-Food Investment Initiative, delivered through Invest Northern Ireland (Invest NI), is open for applications, offering financial assistance for transformative capital projects.
The scheme helps food and drink processors invest in projects that improve productivity, competitiveness and sustainability. Funding is available for:
- machinery and equipment
- buying or developing digital technologies and software
- buying patents, licences, copyrights and trade marks
The programme is open to small, medium and large agri-food businesses that process primary agricultural products covered by Annex I of the EU treaty.
Support levels depend on business size and project scale. Minimum project sizes range from £300,000 for small businesses to £1 million for large businesses. The maximum assistance available is around £5 million.
Who can apply?
The scheme is open to Invest NI clients, and businesses that meet Invest NI's criteria to become a client, operating within one or more of the following food and drink processing sectors:
- meat processing (beef, sheep, pig and poultry)
- dairy, milk and milk products
- potatoes
- cereals/arable crops, fruit and vegetables
- bakery, snacks and convenience
- drinks and beverages
- animal feed
- cold stores (industrially de-rated only)
Check your eligibility to apply for the Agri-Food Investment Initiative.
Due to State Aid restrictions, some activities - including bakery, drinks, beverages, cold stores and egg processing - have specific eligibility rules, with certain categories limited to small and medium businesses only.
For more information on eligibility criteria and how to apply, download the Agri-Food Investment Initiative guidance notes (456K) or contact foodenquiries@investni.com.
First published 9 September 2025