An analysis of the data for January 2026 compared with January 2025 shows that Cattle slaughterings fell by 18.4%.
The number of Sheep slaughtered decreased by 2.8% in January 2026 when compared with January 2025.
Pig slaughterings increased by 2.6% in January 2026 when compared with January 2025.
From January 2025 all data on the number of slaughterings comes directly from DAFM. Prior to this, data from small plants were collected by individual Local Authorities. The 2025 monthly totals have been revised using this new data source. This has not resulted in a break in time series.
| Table 1.1: Livestock Slaughterings - January 2026 | |||
| Cattle | Sheep | Pigs | |
| '000 heads | |||
| January 2025 | 164.7 | 187.7 | 293.3 |
| January 2026 | 134.3 | 182.4 | 301.0 |
| % change | |||
| January 2026/2025 | -18.4% | -2.8% | 2.6% |
| X-axis label | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cattle | 166.064 | 164.697 | 134.331 |
| Sheep | 259.978 | 187.687 | 182.41125 |
| Pigs | 298.046 | 293.286 | 301.03425 |
The number of Cattle slaughtered decreased by 30,000 heads (-18.4%) to 134,000 heads.
Sheep slaughterings were down 5,000 heads (-2.8%) to 182,000 heads
The number of Pigs slaughtered rose by 8,000 heads (+2.6%) to 301,000 heads.
| X-axis label | Cattle | Sheep | Pigs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2025 | 164.697 | 187.687 | 293.286 |
| Feb 2025 | 159.483 | 187.156 | 265.975 |
| Mar 2025 | 158.355 | 202.3466 | 271.9064 |
| Apr 2025 | 159.392 | 206.6076 | 287.7144 |
| May 2025 | 134.905 | 184.0558 | 282.2092 |
| Jun 2025 | 129.237 | 199.1782 | 268.4568 |
| Jul 2025 | 118.899 | 204.3858 | 301.0222 |
| Aug 2025 | 115.388 | 192.138 | 268.896 |
| Sep 2025 | 136.281 | 204.5082 | 290.0962 |
| Oct 2025 | 135.823 | 209.2488 | 301.7538 |
| Nov 2025 | 135.052 | 180.35 | 284.716 |
| Dec 2025 | 128.976 | 203.56475 | 286.50875 |
| Jan 2026 | 134.331 | 182.41125 | 301.03425 |
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Statistician's Comment
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has today (26 February 2026) published Livestock Slaughterings January 2026.
Commenting on the release, Cathal Byrne, Statistician in the Agriculture Accounts & Production Section, said: "An analysis of January 2026 data compared with January 2025 data shows that Cattle slaughterings fell by 18.4% to 134,000 heads. During the same period, the number of Sheep slaughtered dropped by 2.8% to 182,000 heads, while pig slaughterings went up by 2.6% to 301,000 heads.”