Mayo TD concerned as beef imports increase by 33% in 10 years

FRESH data released to Mayo Aontú TD Paul Lawless shows beef imports have increased by 33% over the last decade, with the deputy provided with a full list of the 68 countries from whom Ireland has imported beef since 2015.

Commenting on the figures, Deputy Lawless said: "I am concerned that we've seen a 33% increase in the quantity of beef imported to Ireland.

“Last year Ireland imported 40,977 tonnes of beef, valued at almost €288 million. This compares with 30,841 tonnes imported 10 years ago in 2016. The amount imported last year is higher than any previous year provided in the data.

"While a lot of this is coming from Britain, there are nearly 70 countries listed, including countries in Asia, Africa and South America. I think the government needs to clarify what checks and balances are being done on this produce, is it being tested, where is it going, who is consuming it?"

He continued: "Irish beef, as we all know, is second to none. It is a product we should be proud of.

“As our farmers face the threat of Mercosur we as politicians need to be working twice as hard to support them and to advertise their product and talk up their product both locally and internationally.

“This country with such a fantastic product and reputation should not be importing 40,000 tonnes of beef from other countries. We should be supporting our own."

The response to Deputy Lawless outlined how in 2025, the United Kingdom was the largest country of origin by volume at 36,948 tonnes, or 90% of total beef imports. Great Britain accounted for 53% or 19,710 tonnes of beef imported from the UK, while Northern Ireland accounted for 47% or 17,238 tonnes.

Spain was the second largest country of origin by volume at 871 tonnes, followed by Belgium at 598 tonnes, the Netherlands at 363 tonnes and Poland at 290 tonnes. The remaining 1,907 tonnes of imported beef represented less than 5% of total beef imported to Ireland by volume.

Imports of beef from Brazil amounted to 172 tonnes last year - up from 97 tonnes in 2024.

In 2025, beef exports from Ireland totalled €3.6 billion, 17% of total agri-food exports by value, and amounted to 458,995 tonnes. Last year, Irish beef reached 70 destinations globally.