Ireland: Beef Market 2025

Beef Market Size in Ireland

The Irish beef market declined modestly to $X in 2021, shrinking by -3.8% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Beef Production in Ireland

In value terms, beef production dropped to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 12%. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

In 2021, the average yield of beef (cattle meat) in Ireland dropped to X kg per head, almost unchanged from 2020 figures. Over the period under review, the yield showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 2.2%. Over the period under review, the average beef yield reached the peak level at X kg per head in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the yield failed to regain momentum.

In 2021, number of animals slaughtered for beef production in Ireland dropped to X heads, shrinking by -4.8% against 2020. This number increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the number of producing animals increased by 10%. The number of animals slaughtered for beef production peaked at X heads in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, producing animals failed to regain momentum.

Beef Exports

Exports from Ireland

In 2021, overseas shipments of beef (cattle meat) decreased by -3.9% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after four years of growth. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when exports increased by 15% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, beef exports expanded significantly to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

The UK (X tons) was the main destination for beef exports from Ireland, accounting for a 45% share of total exports. Moreover, beef exports to the UK exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, France (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by the Netherlands (X tons), with an 8.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to the UK stood at +2.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (+2.3% per year) and the Netherlands (+1.3% per year).

In value terms, the UK ($X) remains the key foreign market for beef (cattle meat) exports from Ireland, comprising 44% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by France ($X), with a 9.8% share of total exports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with an 8.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to the UK amounted to +3.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (+2.6% per year) and the Netherlands (+1.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average beef export price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 19% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Philippines ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Sweden (+1.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Beef Imports

Imports into Ireland

In 2021, supplies from abroad of beef (cattle meat) was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Imports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, beef imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the UK (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of beef to Ireland, with a 88% share of total imports. Moreover, beef imports from the UK exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Spain (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the UK amounted to +4.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Spain (+12.4% per year) and the Netherlands (-2.8% per year).

In value terms, the UK ($X) constituted the largest supplier of beef (cattle meat) to Ireland, comprising 89% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Spain ($X), with a 5% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from the UK totaled +5.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Spain (+14.2% per year) and the Netherlands (+3.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average beef import price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 3.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the average import price increased by 21% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Spain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+6.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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