Irish beef imports up by 58%
Central Statistics Office trade data show that 14,119 tonnes of beef were imported in the first quarter – an increase of 5,154 tonnes (58%) on the same period in 2022.
The United Kingdom (12,920 tonnes), Spain (511 tonnes), Netherlands (150 tonnes), Denmark (147 tonnes) and Germany (100 tonnes) were the top five countries of origin for the imports.
During the same period, Ireland exported 117,720 tonnes of beef, including 53,375 tonnes to the United Kingdom.
Full-year exports of primary Irish beef products, according to Bord Bia, were valued at more than €2.5 bn in 2022, up from just over €2.1bn the previous year.
Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue, replying to Mayo TD Alan Dillon in the Dail, said the latest CSO trade data for the first quarter of the year show that beef imports amounted to 12% of Irish beef exports in volume but only 6% in value.
Looking at full-year data, he said 51,665 tonnes of beef were imported last year, an increase of 16,994 tonnes (49%) over 2021.
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