Ireland: Pork Market 2024

Pork Market Size in Ireland

After five years of growth, the Irish pork market decreased by -40.9% to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, consumption, however, posted a measured expansion. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X, and then declined significantly in the following year.

Pork Production in Ireland

In value terms, pork production rose to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 9.5%. Pork production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In 2022, the average yield of pork in Ireland shrank to X kg per head, remaining constant against the previous year's figure. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 2.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average pork yield attained the maximum level at X kg per head in 2021, and then fell slightly in the following year.

In 2022, the number of animals slaughtered for pork production in Ireland declined to X heads, reducing by -1.9% against the year before. This number increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 6%. Over the period under review, this number hit record highs at X heads in 2021, and then contracted modestly in the following year.

Pork Exports

Exports from Ireland

Pork exports from Ireland soared to X tons in 2022, increasing by 1,337% against the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, exports saw a temperate expansion. The exports peaked at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, pork exports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Overall, exports continue to indicate a moderate expansion. The exports peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

China (X tons) was the main destination for pork exports from Ireland, accounting for a 26% share of total exports. Moreover, pork exports to China exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Australia (X tons), twofold. The UK (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 9.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to China amounted to +9.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Australia (+34.8% per year) and the UK (-8.4% per year).

In value terms, the largest markets for pork exported from Ireland were China ($X), Australia ($X) and the UK ($X), together comprising 49% of total exports. Japan, Denmark, South Korea, the United States, Germany, the Philippines, Poland and Sweden lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 41%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, the Philippines, with a CAGR of +33.9%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average pork export price amounted to $X per ton, declining by -61.9% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by 134%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then fell rapidly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Sweden ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United States (+7.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Pork Imports

Imports into Ireland

In 2022, the amount of pork imported into Ireland was estimated at X tons, almost unchanged from 2021. Over the period under review, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 55%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, pork imports amounted to $X in 2022. In general, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 29% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the UK (X tons) constituted the largest pork supplier to Ireland, accounting for a 40% share of total imports. Moreover, pork imports from the UK exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Spain (X tons), twofold. Germany (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the UK stood at +7.6%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Spain (+8.7% per year) and Germany (+4.3% per year).

In value terms, the UK ($X) constituted the largest supplier of pork to Ireland, comprising 39% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Spain ($X), with a 15% share of total imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from the UK stood at +10.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Spain (+6.2% per year) and Germany (+1.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average pork import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, remaining constant against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the average import price increased by 65% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Poland ($X per ton), while the price for France ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+3.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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