Agri-Food Investment Initiative
The Agri-Food Investment Initiative (AFII) aims to enhance the economic performance and competitiveness of Northern Ireland’s agri-food sector through financial assistance for transformative capital investment in several key areas.
AFII is open to all Invest Northern Ireland clients and new clients* 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)
*Businesses that are not currently Invest NI clients must demonstrate that they meet Invest NI’s criteria to become a client and if they do so, they will then be on-boarded.
Due to State Aid restrictions, businesses involved in the following activities should contact their Invest NI Client Executive or foodenquiries@investni.com before completing an online eligibility check or applying:
- Bakery (only applications from SMEs are eligible)
- Drinks and beverages (only applications from SMEs are eligible)
- Cold stores (only applications from SMEs are eligible)
- Egg processing
The Agri-Food Investment Initiative (AFII) aims to enhance the economic performance and competitiveness of Northern Ireland’s agri-food sector through financial assistance for transformative capital investment in several key areas. These areas include:
- machinery and equipment
- buying or developing computer software
- buying patents, licences, copyrights, and trademarks
Funding available
Small businesses
The maximum aid intensity that can be granted is 35% of the eligible investment costs. The minimum project size is £300,000.
Medium businesses
The maximum aid intensity that can be granted is 25% of the eligible investment costs. The minimum project size is £1,000,000.
Large businesses
The maximum aid intensity is 20% of the eligible investment costs, however, the aid intensity for any individual project will be limited to the minimum support required to implement the project, compared to the counterfactual scenario in the absence of aid. The minimum project size is £1,000,000.
- Invest Northern Ireland