There is a leakage of 75-80% of organic lambs from the system here in Ireland, according to Bord Bia Sheepmeat and Livestock Sector manager, Seamus McMenamin.

Speaking at the Bord Bia Meat Marketing Seminar 2026 today (Friday, January 16), McMenamin said that "75-80% of organic lambs do not actually end up in the factory as organic".

There is also leakage of organic beef from the system, with "somewhere in the region of 40%" being moved though mart sales or transfer.

He said: "That is probably a higher leakage level than typical, which is usually somewhere in the region of 30%."

According to McMenamin, with the significant reduction in the conventional cattle sector, organic beef are becoming "very attractive to a conventional cattle finisher".

Growth in organics

McMenamin said the organic sector is "becoming more relevant", with more farmers coming in as producers and significant investment from both an EU and national level.

There has been a strategic growth in organic lamb and beef over the years with a growth of 52% in organic beef and growth of 40% in organic lamb as of 2025.

It is expected for 2026 that the supply base is on track to rapidly expand, with a current supply base of 37,000 organic suckler herd, about 5% of the total, and an supply base of 184,000 organic sheep, or about 6-7% of the overall flock.

"However, as the supply base grows, so do the pressure points in the sector," said McMenamin.

In his presentation, he highlighted that according to Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) statistics, one in four animals stay within the organic system.

With the number of movements amounting to 77,935, 26% were retained on organic farms and 17% moved off the farm to slaughter plants.

36,295 animals were sold through the market in 2025, with 24% of them going to organic farms.

20,392 animals were traded farm to farm, with 56% going to organic farms.

Organic opportunities

McMenamin outlined how there has been a coordinated effort to keep animals organic and to protect values with the Organic Beef and Lamb Innovation Group, (OBLIG), national organic forms, organic roadshows, processor alignment, and on-farm planning.

There are commercial opportunities for Irish producers of lamb and cattle in 2026, with estimates of current market prices showing that per 1,000 cattle processed is equal to €2.7 million, and per 1,000 lamb processed is equal to €0.2 million to the sector.

McMenamin said that "building on momentum is key" for organic lamb and cattle market growth.

He highlighted that there is "quite a positive market sentiment right across Europe" for organic meat.

Across seven key markets (UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Austria, Belgium), 68% of consumers are more likely to purchase Irish organic food and drink.

Ireland is also the top import of choice for organic meat in Germany and the UK.

In the domestic market, there have been organic promotional campaigns in the spring and the autumn.

There was also an organic showgarden at this year's Bloom, and the National Organic Awards, which aim to build awareness as well as trust in the product.

McMenamin said organics "adds to our basket of goods we can offer to potential customers".

"Ireland is in a prime position to take hold of this going forward."