Ireland: Market for Lamb and Sheep Meat 2025

Market Size for Lamb and Sheep Meat in Ireland

In 2021, the Irish lamb and sheep meat market increased by 47% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Production of Lamb and Sheep Meat in Ireland

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat production skyrocketed to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, production attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

The average yield of lamb and sheep meat in Ireland stood at X kg per head in 2021, remaining constant against the previous year. Overall, the yield recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 2.4% against the previous year. The lamb and sheep meat yield peaked at X kg per head in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the yield failed to regain momentum.

The number of animals slaughtered for lamb and sheep meat production in Ireland contracted slightly to X heads in 2021, which is down by -4.5% against 2020 figures. This number increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 10%. Over the period under review, this number reached the maximum level at X heads in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, producing animals remained at a lower figure.

Exports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Exports from Ireland

In 2021, overseas shipments of lamb and sheep meat decreased by -11.3% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year rising trend. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 15%. The exports peaked at X tons in 2020, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat exports expanded markedly to $X in 2021. Overall, total exports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +69.9% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 15%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

France (X tons) was the main destination for lamb and sheep meat exports from Ireland, accounting for a 33% share of total exports. Moreover, lamb and sheep meat exports to France exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Germany (X tons), twofold. The UK (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to France totaled -1.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (+13.1% per year) and the UK (-5.4% per year).

In value terms, France ($X) remains the key foreign market for lamb and sheep meat exports from Ireland, comprising 33% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by the UK, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to France totaled +2.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (+12.4% per year) and the UK (+0.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average lamb and sheep meat export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 26% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.6%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Hong Kong SAR ($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 the UK (+6.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Lamb and Sheep Meat

Imports into Ireland

For the fifth year in a row, Ireland recorded growth in purchases abroad of lamb and sheep meat, which increased by 2.7% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +72.3% against 2016 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, lamb and sheep meat imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, imports saw a prominent increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 27% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the UK (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of lamb and sheep meat to Ireland, with a 71% share of total imports. Moreover, lamb and sheep meat imports from the UK exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, New Zealand (X tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Australia (X tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the UK totaled +2.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: New Zealand (+35.1% per year) and Australia (+61.6% per year).

In value terms, the UK ($X) constituted the largest supplier of lamb and sheep meat to Ireland, comprising 68% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by New Zealand ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by Australia, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from the UK stood at +5.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: New Zealand (+40.5% per year) and Australia (+64.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average lamb and sheep meat import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, jumping by 17% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.2%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the countries with the highest prices were the Netherlands ($X per ton) and Australia ($X per ton), while the price for the UK ($X per ton) and Iceland ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Iceland (+4.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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