Meat Industry Ireland (MII) is the Ibec sector association which represents the primary beef, pork and lamb processing facilities located in the Republic of Ireland.

Explore / Our meat sectors

Discover / Irish meat sector

The meat sector in Ireland, from farm through to processing and export, is one of the most important indigenous industries in the national economy, supporting in excess of 120,000 individual farmers and generating total sales of > €4.5bn, with 2020 exports of approximately €3bn. Rurally located meat processing plants act as a key economic contributor by providing direct employment in several Irish towns with additional supplementary jobs generated in distribution, transport and services.

Over the past decades the Irish beef meat sector has grown from a frozen commodity business into the fifth largest net beef exporter globally. The sheepmeat sector, also export oriented supplying to over 30 market placing Ireland as the fourth largest net exporter in the world and second largest in the EU. Equivalently, Irish pigmeat exports have also grown exponentially with increasing presence in international export markets.

Within the Irish meat sector, the potential exists to further scale up activity and capacity to grow exports delivering new revenues and jobs through value added processing in a sustainable and attainable way.

COVID-19 / Information, guidelines and support

Latest information and business updates, guidance and support

Explore / Our industry-led training

Food Drink Ireland Skillnet work with companies across the drinks industry to advance current and future skills needs critical for the success of the sector. All training delivered by the network is industry specific, high quality and part-funded by the Skillnet Ireland. Membership of the network is free to companies in the food and drink sector.