Portadown-based premium snack manufacturer Kestrel Foods has announced a £5 million investment to expand its production capabilities and international reach, creating 38 new jobs over the next three years. The investment, supported by £350,000 from Invest Northern Ireland’s Agri-Food Investment Initiative, will fund advanced chocolate coating technology and expanded storage facilities at the company’s Carn Industrial Estate headquarters.
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald welcomed the announcement on 1 June 2026, highlighting the project’s alignment with the Executive’s agenda to boost regional economic balance and support indigenous manufacturing. The expansion comes as Kestrel Foods’ flagship Forest Feast brand approaches its 30th anniversary, marking nearly three decades of growth from a local family start-up to an exporter serving 26 countries.
Investment Details and Job Creation
The company, founded by Michael and Lorraine Hall in 1996, will install a continuous chocolate coating and polishing line alongside additional storage infrastructure. The technology upgrade aims to meet growing international demand for the firm’s chocolate snack ranges while improving production efficiency through automation.
- Total Investment: £5 million
- Public Support: £350,000 from Invest NI’s Agri-Food Investment Initiative (AFII)
- Employment Impact: 38 new jobs created over a three-year period
- Location: Carn Industrial Estate, Portadown, Co. Armagh
- Primary Brands: Forest Feast, ACTI-SNACK, Just Live a Little, and Indie Bay
The investment represents a significant scaling of operations for the family-owned business, which has built a reputation for ethically sourced dried fruits, nuts, and chocolate-coated products. According to company filings, the business has previously benefited from Invest NI support, including assistance with trade missions and capital investments dating back to 2014.
Official Statements on Growth and Regional Impact
During a visit to the Portadown facilities, Dr Archibald emphasised the strategic importance of supporting established local manufacturers to drive export growth and employment in the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area.
“Kestrel Foods is investing significantly in its processes to boost productivity, supported by Invest NI’s Agri-Food Investment Initiative. This will enable the company to expand its product range and grow export sales. As its Forest Feast brand approaches its 30th anniversary, this investment marks another key milestone in its journey from a local start-up to a globally recognised premium snacking brand.
“The creation of 38 new jobs is also a major boost for the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area, supporting my agenda to deliver greater regional balance and ensuring economic growth is felt across all parts of the north.”
— Dr Caoimhe Archibald, Economy Minister
Michael Hall, founder and Managing Director of Kestrel Foods, stressed the company’s commitment to maintaining its Northern Ireland manufacturing base while pursuing international expansion.
“Our products are developed and produced in Northern Ireland, where our artisan techniques, product innovation and manufacturing expertise come together to create premium snacks for customers around the world.
“To improve efficiency, we need to continue investing in automation across our production lines. Installing a new continuous chocolate coating and polishing line will significantly enhance productivity while supporting our continued growth and expansion into international markets.”
— Michael Hall, Founder and Managing Director, Kestrel Foods
Grainné Moody, Director of Food and Drink at Invest NI, outlined the agency’s long-term support for the company and its future market ambitions.
“Kestrel Foods has delivered strong growth since Michael and Lorraine established the business in 1996. We’ve worked closely with the company since 2014, supporting its development through capital investment, trade missions, skills development and leadership training to help build capability and access new markets.
“We are pleased to continue our support for Kestrel Foods through this project, with our trade team also working with the company to explore opportunities in European markets and support its next phase of growth.”
— Grainné Moody, Director of Food and Drink, Invest NI
Context and Considerations
While the announcement signals confidence in Northern Ireland’s agri-food sector, several details remain unspecified in the official release. The breakdown of the £5 million investment between equipment, buildings, and working capital has not been disclosed, nor have the specific salary levels or occupational breakdowns of the 38 promised jobs. The press release also does not specify which international markets will be prioritised with the expanded capacity, though the company currently exports to 26 countries including the US, Japan, South Africa, and Germany.
The investment comes amid broader volatility in global food exports. According to Bord Bia’s Export Performance and Prospects Report 2025–2026, Irish food and drink exporters face “fewer buffers” in 2026 due to rising labour and energy costs, with 40% of CEOs having delayed planned investments due to economic uncertainty. Kestrel Foods’ decision to proceed with significant capital expenditure during this period suggests strong underlying demand for its premium snacking products, particularly following its 2024 acquisition of Indie Bay Snacks and a previous £2.8 million investment that secured UK-wide Asda listings.
The Minister’s emphasis on “regional balance” merits scrutiny. While Portadown falls within the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area, the Carn Industrial Estate is already an established manufacturing hub with existing infrastructure. The extent to which this investment addresses economic deprivation in more peripheral areas of the north—identified as a priority in the Executive’s economic strategy—remains unclear.
Questions for Stakeholders
- What specific roles and salary bands will the 38 new positions encompass, and will they include apprenticeships or graduate opportunities for local residents?
- How does Invest NI measure the return on its £350,000 capital support, and what export revenue targets have been set for Kestrel Foods over the next three years?
- Given the emphasis on automation, what provisions are being made for upskilling existing employees to operate the new chocolate coating technology?
- How will the company balance increased production capacity with sustainability commitments, particularly regarding packaging and energy consumption at the expanded facility?
- Does this investment represent a consolidation of the company’s Portadown operations, or might it signal future relocation of certain functions to other sites?
What to Watch For
Observers should monitor the actual job creation timeline against the three-year projection, particularly given the competitive labour market in the Craigavon area. The success of this investment will ultimately be measured by Kestrel Foods’ ability to convert increased production capacity into sustained export growth—a critical metric as Northern Ireland seeks to improve productivity levels that remain 12% below the UK average. Further details on the specific markets targeted for expansion, and any additional product line launches enabled by the new technology, are expected to emerge as the equipment installation progresses.