Pig Road Map 2030
The Pig Road Map 2030 presents an overview of Ireland’s pig sector to 2030, outlining current performance, market outlook, sustainability priorities, and future targets.
The pig sector is currently the third most important Irish agricultural sector after milk and beef, accounting for 7% of Goods Output at Producer Prices.
It employs over 8,000 people, with more than 1,200 of these on the 260 sow integrated farms in Ireland (PWC Pig Industry Report 2022). The national sow herd stands at 138,000 sows (average 2024) with an average herd size of 530 sows.
The industry exports over 60% of its production and currently faces a challenge to attract quality new skilled entrants to the sector while reducing its impact on the environment. The pig sector is committed to becoming more carbon-efficient and has a particular focus on ammonia as well as reduced total emissions. Pig farmers co-operate with other crop and livestock farmers in the sourcing of feed and provision of nutrients for crop and forage growth.