The Irish Pig Sector
Pig production in Ireland ranks third in importance behind beef & milk production accounting for 7.2% of Gross Agricultural Output. Employment in the pig sector accounts for at least 1,300 labour units on farms, with the total number employed in associated sectors such as pig meat processing, feed manufacture, haulage and services being estimated at 8,300. There is an estimated 290 commercial sow herds in Ireland and the June 2019 CSO Livestock Survey reported that there are 1.6 million pigs in Ireland, including 143,300 breeding sows. In 2019 Ireland exported an estimated 254,000 tonnes of pigment to 76 different export markets. The UK was the main Irish pigmeat market receiving 53% of our total pigmeat exports, 18% was exported to Continental EU and the remaining 29% went to international markets.
