This release gives the number and carcass weight of cattle, sheep and pig slaughterings in Ireland. The figures include slaughterings at all meat establishments approved by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) under S.I. 22 of 2020. The collection of monthly slaughtering data for cattle, sheep, and pigs is governed by Regulation (EU) 2022/2379 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2745 .
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.
Data on the number of cattle, sheep, and pigs slaughtered are obtained monthly from DAFM. Average carcass weights of cattle are taken from the Department’s Beef Carcass Classification Scheme. Average carcass weights of pigs are based on information obtained directly from DAFM approved plants by the CSO. Average carcass weights of sheep are based on average weights data provided by DAFM.
Calf slaughterings are included with cattle.
For cattle, the carcass weight is defined as the weight of the slaughtered animal’s cold body after being skinned, bled and eviscerated and after removal of external genitalia, the limb at the carpus and tarsus, head, tail, kidneys and kidney fats and the udder.
For sheep, the carcass weight is defined as the weight of the slaughtered animal’s cold body after being skinned, bled and eviscerated and after removal of the head, feet, tail and genital organs including the udder. Kidneys and kidney fats are included in the carcass.
For pigs, the carcass weight is defined as the weight of the slaughtered animal’s cold body either whole or divided in half along the mid-line, after being bled and eviscerated and after the removal of the tongue, bristles, hooves, genitalia, flare fat, kidneys and diaphragm.
The CSO’s slaughtering data may differ from other sources of slaughtering data due to different reference periods and the completeness of the data. This release is based on data received from all approved slaughtering facilities and is compiled on a calendar monthly basis. Other sources may be compiled on a weekly basis and may exclude some subcategories of animals.
Particular care should always be taken when comparing weekly data and monthly data. Weekly data can straddle different months and indeed years and as a result, can lead to significant differences when compared with monthly data.
Easter falls each year on a Sunday between March 22nd and April 25th, inclusively. The level of sheep slaughterings in March and April each year is greatly influenced by when Easter falls.
Dates for Easter Sunday:
2026 - 5th April
2025 - 20th April
2024 - 31st March
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