Beef imports into Ireland from Brazil have increased by more than 800% over the past 10 years, according to data released to an Aontú TD.

Deputy Paul Lawless recently tabled a parliamentary question asking Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon about the quantity of beef imports into the country over the past decade.

Estimates from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that almost 41,000t of beef was imported into Ireland last year, a figure higher than any of the previous 10 years.

Of that total, nearly 37,000t was imported from the UK, followed by 871t from Spain.

In 2024, Ireland imported 34,252t of beef, which was down from almost 37,000t in 2023.

Minister Heydon noted that Ireland is estimated to have exported 458,996t of beef in 2025, valued at €3.6 billion.

Beef imports

The estimated data shows that 172t of beef was imported from Brazil in 2025, the highest figure in a decade.

In 2024, beef imports from Brazil stood at 97t, up from 40t in the previous year.

Deputy Paul Lawless said that "the huge increase in the amount of beef imported into Ireland is shocking and worrying".

The Mayo TD said that 22t of beef was brought into Ireland from Brazil in 2016.

"The scandal with Bord Bia has not been adequately addressed, the government have shown no remorse for their lack of lobbying to oppose Mercosur or for their constant defence of [Bord Bia chair] Larry Murrin," he said.

Farmers

The TD claimed the government has been "rude and cold towards farmers over the past few months".

"Beef farmers in this country were already in a vulnerable position, with the knowledge that our beef market in Europe was under threat.

"To learn then that beef was entering the Irish market, and that some of it was being brought in by Larry Murrin represented the most awful betrayal," Deputy Lawless added.

The TD called for more information on the over 500t of beef imported from Brazil into Ireland since 2016, including where it was sold, the labelling applied to packages and food safety testing.