Meat Sector

The total value of primary beef exports in 2023 is estimated at €2.7 billion, an increase of 2% over last year. Beef offals were valued at €140 million, up 3%. Value-added beef exports, which are accounted for within the Prepared Consumer Foods (PCF) sector, increased to €255 million, up 7%.

Cattle throughput is estimated to have decreased by more than 2% or 40,000 head at Irish meat plants, contributing to a 3% decrease in the volume exported (489,000 tonnes). Beef supplies were impacted by lower carcase weights, which were down by an estimated 3%, resulting from reduced animal performance due to poorer grass quality for most of the summer period, and lower concentrate feed usage.

Prospects for 2024

The outlook for beef exports remains somewhat uncertain for 2024. Global and EU supplies look set to remain well balanced, however the impact of cost-of-living factors and consumer sentiment on beef purchasing behaviour will remain a critical factor in determining price developments.

Irish pig producers reacted similarly to their European counterparts by reducing their average holding size over the last 18 months. This impacted on output levels during 2023, with the volume of Irish pigmeat exports (excl. value-added pigmeat)20% lower than 2022 levels at 189,000 tonnes. Equivalent export values were almost 13% lower at €475 million, despite higher unit pricing offsetting the significant reduction in export volumes as the year progressed.

According to the CSO, Irish pigmeat production fell by almost 11% to just over 224,000 tonnes for the first nine months of 2023 compared to prior year levels, reflecting a decrease in both pig supplies and carcase weights. For 
the last quarter of 2023, Irish pigmeat production remained tight as producers took a cautious approach to expanding production against a backdrop of ongoing high relative production costs.

Prospects for 2024

Global pigmeat production is forecast to remain unchanged in 2024, with lower output in China anticipated to offset increases in Brazil, Vietnam and the United States. 

Irish pigmeat production is expected to gradually recover from the first quarter of 2024, reflecting some recovery in the pig breeding herd on the back of higher prices and some downward readjustment in production costs.

Overall, Irish primary poultry exports increased by approximately 7% to over €140 million during 2023, helped by stronger poultry supplies and slightly higher unit pricing.

The Irish poultry industry benefitted from firm demand, combined with lower disease pressure in the sector. Poultry throughout levels up to the end of October were running 4% higher at 95 million head compared to prior year levels.

For the main subcategory, chicken, output increased by almost 3% to 85 million head. This reflects firm demand, with more dark chicken being sold on the Irish market as price-sensitive consumers continue to seek value.

Prospects for 2024

The outlook for the global poultry industry will be helped by improving demand and lower costs in 2024. Europe's market conditions look positive, but the industry faces pressure from rising imports, especially increased chicken imports from Ukraine which jumped by 78% for the year to July.

Irish sheepmeat exports were valued at over €440 million during 2023, a 7% decline. This follows year-on-year growth since 2014. With the volume of sheepmeat exports holding relatively stable during 2023 at 77,000 tonnes, the decline in value sales directly results from a much more challenging trading environment for Irish sheepmeat.

Shifts in global demand combined with increased production in the southern hemisphere and a notable increase in the availability of UK sheepmeat in our key export markets, all created challenges for Irish exporters.

Prospects for 2024

The outlook for the Irish sheepmeat sector remains challenging with the impact of inflation in key export markets affecting lamb demand. Profitability issues and challenging production conditions on Irish farms in 2023 have impacted on producer confidence, with a further decrease in ewe numbers expected in 2024. A higher carryover of 2023-born sheep into 2024 for processing should keep export volumes stable in the first half of the year. However, initial forecasts indicate tighter supplies from Q3 2024 onwards.

The trading of live animals internationally continues to provide an important alternative market for the Irish livestock industry with exports valued at an estimated €265 million during 2023, an increase of 13%.

Cattle exports account for most of the live export trade. With 332,000 animals exported, valued at €190 million. The number of cattle traded increased by 14% when compared to 2022 levels, a trend primarly driven by very strong levels of calf exports.

Prospects for 2024

The live trading of animals remains under intense scrutiny at both a local and European level. The longer-term future of the unweaned calf trade will be impacted by the proposed changes to EU Transport legislation.

However, despite this the short-term outlook for calf exports in 2024 remains fairly positive with firm forward demand from customers in key markets including the Netherlands, Spain and Italy.