Ireland Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in ireland, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Agricultural Sector
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Overview 

Agricultural production is a key driver of Ireland’s export and rural economy. A major livestock producer, Ireland manufactures many derivatives and value-added products from its predominantly cattle-based sector. Notably, Ireland exports the vast majority (around 80-90 percent) of its beef and dairy products. Ireland has very limited horticultural and grain production on account of its topography and climate, and it imports around 80 percent of its animal feed, food, and beverage needs.

Ireland is reliant on imports to supplement domestic agricultural production, provide consumers with a variety of choices, and drive economic growth. The United States ranks as Ireland’s fourth largest source for agricultural and related products increasing 17 percent between 2023 and 2024 to $1. 0 billion. The United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Germany were ranked as one to three.

Ireland has a robust economy, heavily propelled by its technology and pharmaceutical sectors which attract significant foreign direct investment. This has translated into strong GDP growth with the country experiencing a historically low unemployment rate. However, the country continues to struggle with a high cost of living. Ireland is one of the most expensive countries in Western Europe, primarily due to a housing crisis, with soaring rental prices and limited supply creating pressure on households. Increased energy and food costs have intensified the issue, eroding disposable income and making daily life increasingly challenging for many people despite strong wage growth in some sectors. Food and non-alcoholic beverage prices have increased 3. 4 percent in the past year. Dairy products in particular have increased between 15-30 percent depending on the product. Negotiations remain ongoing between the European Union and the United States, which has tariff implications for Irish goods entering the United States, including agricultural products.

Leading Sub-sectors 

For the United States, intermediate products remain the most important sector, amounting to $592. 3 million of the total $999. 1 million U. S. exports of agricultural, fish and forestry products to Ireland during the 2024 calendar year. The single most important category for U. S. agricultural exports to Ireland is lightly processed or bulk commodity products destined to be incorporated into feed for Ireland’s livestock industry. Ireland has very limited capacity to produce grains for animal feed and must import significant quantities. Trade is highly dependent on global prices and local production.

In 2024, corn, dextrin’s, peptones, and proteins, essential oils, other intermediate products, dairy products, fruit and vegetable juices, chocolate and cocoa products, distilled spirits, forest products, Consumer Oriented Products, Agricultural and Related Products, and Agricultural Products all achieved their highest imports from the United States since 1970.

Connected to its livestock dominance, in 2024, Ireland imported $5. 4 million worth of bovine semen. The United States currently has over 31 percent market share of this trade increasing from 18 percent in 2023 and is now the largest supplier having overtaken the United Kingdom in 2024. Trade in live horses, for the racing industry, from the United States to Ireland amount to around $26 million.

Edible Fats & Oils, Vegetable Saps & Extracts, Essential Oils, Whey, Peptones/Other Proteins, Flavorings and Enzymes are imported to support Ireland’s manufacturing sector with ingredients and are not readily available in Ireland. This includes organic ingredients. Grocery items such as sauces, chips, cookies, confectionery are imported directly, as well as fresh produce/nuts not produced in Ireland, including sweet potatoes, almonds, grapes, and walnuts. 

 

Table: Top U. S. Agricultural Product Exports to Ireland by Value & Calendar Year ($ Millions) 

   

2020 

2021 

2022

2023

2024

Consumer Oriented Total

40. 6

56. 6

67. 9*

 106. 3

228. 1*

Essential Oils

134. 7

183. 5

200. 9*

 181. 5

214. 5*

Distilled Spirits

2. 9

4. 2

10. 7

47. 0

172. 3*

Forest Products

44. 0

41. 5

56. 9*

 79. 5*

115. 0

Distilled Grains

65. 2

104. 4

156. 4*

 96. 7

114. 4

Other Feeds, Meals, Fodders

79. 9

115. 4

147. 1*

 97. 2

103. 6

Soybean Meal

16. 9

60. 2

62. 9

 174. 5*

71. 7

Corn

0. 0

0. 3

30. 4

3. 8

58. 7*

Other Intermediate Products

25. 8

25. 2

23. 9

19. 6

34. 8*

Dairy

7. 0

9. 8

13. 6

18. 9

19. 7*

  • Denotes highest export levels since CY1970. 

Opportunities

Opportunities exist in all sectors. However, research is needed to identify routes to market and main players. Sectors showing total import growth in the last three years include: animal feed; distilled spirits, forest products, dairy, and consumer-oriented groceries. For additional information, please see the Ireland Exporter Guide for Agricultural Products. 

Resources 

The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is represented in Ireland by the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) based at the U. S. Embassy in London, United Kingdom. FAS works to improve foreign market access for U. S. agricultural, fish and forestry products and operates programs designed to build new markets and improve the competitive position of U. S. agriculture in the global marketplace.  

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