There was an annual decrease of 17.2% in the number of sheep slaughtered in 2025, figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show.

When compared with 2024, sheep slaughterings fell by 491,000 head to 2.4 million.

The number of cattle slaughtered in 2025 is estimated to be 1.7 million head, a decrease of 229,000 head (12%) compared with 2024.

Pig slaughterings are estimated to be 3.4 million head in 2025, up 86,000 (2.6%) on the previous year, the CSO said.

Monthly figures

The CSO has today (January 27) published its report on livestock slaughterings in December 2025.

The number of cattle slaughtered in December 2025 decreased by 18,000 head (12.3%) to 129,000 head when compared with December 2024, according to the report.

Sheep slaughterings in December 2025 were 201,000 head, a reduction of 6,000 head (3%) when compared with the same month in 2024.

The number of pigs slaughtered in December 2025 increased by 26,000 head (9.9%) to 288,000 head when compared with December 2024.

2026 cattle supply

The 2026 factory cattle supply is forecast to remain at a similar level as 2025, according to Bord Bia.

The forecasted kill for 2026 is expected to be at 1.56-1.6 million head.

European beef production fell by 5.4% in October 2025 with the beef herd declining by 2.5% and the dairy herd declining by 3.5%, Bord Bia said.

EU beef imports from Brazil and Argentina increased by 20% and 19% respectively in 2025.