The number of cattle slaughtered declined by 19.1% in the first two months of 2026, new figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show.

The number of cattle slaughtered fell by 19.8% in February 2026 when compared with the same month in 2025.

Between January and February 2026, sheep slaughterings decreased by 3.6% when compared with the same period in 2025.

Sheep slaughterings were down by 5.1% when comparing February 2026 with February 2025.

The number of pigs slaughtered in the first two months of 2026 grew by 2.4% when compared with the same two-month period in 2025.

The number increased by 2.2% in February 2026 when compared with February 2025.

Livestock slaughterings

Commenting on the release, Cathal Byrne, statistician in the agriculture accounts and production section of the CSO, said:

"Cattle slaughterings decreased by 19.8% to 128,000 heads in February 2026 when compared with February 2025.

"During the same period, the number of sheep slaughtered fell by 5.1% to 178,000 heads and pig slaughterings went up 2.2% to 272,000 heads."

Byrne said that further analysis of the data shows that between January and February 2026, cattle slaughterings contracted by 19.1% to 262,00 heads when compared with the same period in 2025.

"The number of sheep slaughterings decreased by 3.6% to 361,000 heads while pig slaughterings went up by 2.4% to 573,000 heads over the same two-month period."