€253m worth of poultry imported to Ireland from non-EU countries
€253 million (67,503t) of poultry was imported to Ireland from non-EU countries (known as third countries) between January and October 2025.
That's according to the latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) trade data, provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to Agriland.
The figure represents 42% of the overall €609 million (144,484t) worth of poultry imported to Ireland during this period, with the remaining 58% or €356 million (77,382t) imported from EU member states.
The table below provides further detail on non-EU origins for poultry imports to Ireland, ordered by value in descending order.
| Origin | € | Tonnes | % of total non-EU import value |
| United Kingdom | 97,017,417 | 33,406 | 38.3% |
| Thailand | 85,231,917 | 14,228 | 33.6% |
| China | 36,984,596 | 10,927 | 14.6% |
| Brazil | 29,405,657 | 8,126 | 11.6% |
| Ukraine | 3,961,868 | 670 | 1.6% |
| Other non-EU destinations | 728,008 | 145 | 0.3% |
| Total | 253,329,464 | 67,503 | 100% |
DAFM stated that these statistics are provisional and subject to ongoing revision by the Central Statistics Office. First estimates for full year 2025 figures are scheduled for publication in February 2026.
South American poultry
While the main source of poultry imports is from the UK, if the EU Mercosur Partnership Agreement is ratified, a quota of poultry will be imported to the EU from the Mercosur countries of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay at a reduced tariff rate.
Some of that poultry quota may be sent to the Irish market. A maximum limit of 180,000t of poultry is factored into the deal.
AVEC, the Association of Poultry Processors and Poultry Trade in the EU, had previously said that already, more than 25% of poultry breast meat consumed in the EU originates from third countries.
The association said the trade deal demonstrates the very "negative consequences... for EU poultry producers, rural employment and the sustainability of European production".
