Sheep meat production in Ireland
In 2024 Ireland produced 62,970 t of sheep meat, the 33rd largest in the world (0.55% of the world total). Over ten years it grew by 9.1%. The record was 95,800 t in 1993.
- Production, 2024
- 62,970 t
- World rank
- 33 of 175
- 10-year change
- +9.1%
- Record
- 95,800 t
- 1993
Sheep meat in Ireland, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
Ireland compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 0.55%
- 0.62% in 2014
- kg per person
- 12.0
- world 1.41
- 10-year change
- +9.1%
- world +23%
Position in the world ranking
| # | Country | Tonnes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | France | 67,960 | 0.59% |
| 32 | United States | 63,004 | 0.55% |
| 33 | Ireland | 62,970 | 0.55% |
| 34 | Kenya | 56,528 | 0.49% |
| 35 | Egypt | 55,000 | 0.48% |
Map of world production of sheep meat
Share of the world total; Ireland is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 62,970 | −9.7% |
| 2023 | 69,720 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | 68,220 | +7.6% |
| 2021 | 63,430 | −4.2% |
| 2020 | 66,230 | +0.3% |
| 2019 | 66,040 | −3.5% |
| 2018 | 68,410 | +2.0% |
| 2017 | 67,100 | +10% |
| 2016 | 61,000 | +4.5% |
| 2015 | 58,400 | +1.2% |
| 2014 | 57,700 | +0.2% |
| 2013 | 57,600 | +7.5% |
| 2012 | 53,600 | +11% |
| 2011 | 48,300 | +1.3% |
| 2010 | 47,700 | −13% |
| 2009 | 55,100 | −6.3% |
| 2008 | 58,800 | −11% |
| 2007 | 65,800 | −6.4% |
| 2006 | 70,300 | −4.1% |
| 2005 | 73,300 | +2.1% |
| 2004 | 71,800 | +13% |
| 2003 | 63,300 | −4.8% |
| 2002 | 66,500 | −15% |
| 2001 | 78,100 | −5.8% |
| 2000 | 82,900 | −8.2% |
| 1999 | 90,300 | +4.2% |
| 1998 | 86,700 | +15% |
| 1997 | 75,500 | −15% |
| 1996 | 88,500 | +1.0% |
| 1995 | 87,600 | −3.4% |
| 1994 | 90,700 | −5.3% |
| 1993 | 95,800 | +7.4% |
| 1992 | 89,200 | +3.4% |
| 1991 | 86,300 | +0.3% |
| 1990 | 86,000 | +37% |
| 1989 | 63,000 | +27% |
| 1988 | 49,700 | +4.6% |
| 1987 | 47,525 | +2.9% |
| 1986 | 46,191 | −4.4% |
| 1985 | 48,300 | +18% |
| 1984 | 40,919 | +2.8% |
| 1983 | 39,800 | −1.7% |
| 1982 | 40,500 | −8.0% |
| 1981 | 44,000 | +4.8% |
| 1980 | 42,000 | +7.7% |
| 1979 | 39,000 | −4.9% |
| 1978 | 41,000 | +11% |
| 1977 | 37,000 | 0.0% |
| 1976 | 37,000 | −20% |
| 1975 | 46,000 | +2.2% |
| 1974 | 45,000 | +3.8% |
| 1973 | 43,363 | −3.7% |
| 1972 | 45,021 | −4.8% |
| 1971 | 47,280 | +19% |
| 1970 | 39,693 | −9.1% |
| 1969 | 43,671 | −1.0% |
| 1968 | 44,115 | −2.9% |
| 1967 | 45,418 | −6.4% |
| 1966 | 48,513 | +8.4% |
| 1965 | 44,748 | −4.3% |
| 1964 | 46,765 | −2.4% |
| 1963 | 47,895 | +1.9% |
| 1962 | 47,017 | +26% |
| 1961 | 37,211 | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 46,729 t USD 412 m
- Exporter rank
- 4 of 82
- Imports
- 3,286 t USD 20.9 m
- Importer rank
- 41 of 178
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of sheep meat in Ireland?
Ireland produced 62,970 t in 2024, 0.55% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Ireland rank in the world for production of sheep meat?
Ireland ranked 33rd of 175 countries in 2024. The largest producer was China with 22.9% of the world total.
How has the production of sheep meat in Ireland changed?
It rose by 9.1% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +23% for the world. The record was 95,800 t in 1993.
Does Ireland export or import meat of sheep, fresh or chilled?
In 2024 Ireland reported exports of 46,729 t (USD 412 m) and imports of 3,286 t (USD 20.9 m), according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Other large producers
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.