Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 11.8 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €5.9bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Mergers improve cost efficiency, though inflation means profit is suffering
- Acquisitions and mergers by larger companies, including Dawn Meats and Kepak, have supported economies of scale and profit.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Organic and grass-fed meat will support future demand from the UK
- According to data from the 2021 Meat Shopper Insight Report, 30% of British consumers are willing to pay a premium for beef with high welfare standards. As the UK is a major consumer of Irish meat, this trend is causing a reaction across the Irish Sea.
Biggest companies in the Meat Processing in Ireland
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue (€m)
2024 |
|---|---|---|
Dawn Meats Group | 875.4 | |
ABP Food Group Ireland | 226.4 | |
Kepak Group | 216.4 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Beef and veal meat, Lamb and sheep meat and Pig meat. Beef and veal meat is the largest segment of the Meat Processing in Ireland.
Trends and Insights
Beef and veal comprise the meat processing industry's most lucrative product segment
- According to the Central Statistics Office, Irish beef consumption was 18.5 kilograms per capita in 2022. However, this is only a small share of the beef production market, as the country produces almost seven times more beef than it consumes.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Companies in the Meat Processing industry slaughter livestock to produce meat. These companies produce fresh, chilled or frozen meat as carcases, cuts and by-products like rendered lard, tallow and pulled wool. Processors also bone, preserve and pack meat.
What's included in this industry?
Beef and vealLamb and sheepPig meatEdible fatsTallowAnimals' skinsCompanies
Dawn Meats GroupABP Food Group IrelandKepak GroupPurchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
CLEAN MEATPROCESSORTALLOWIndustry Code
SIC 10.11 - Meat Processing in Ireland
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Chinese exports are set to surge. Ireland regained access to export meat to the Chinese market in January 2023, supporting revenue.
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Irish meat exports to the US will become significantly less competitive. A 10% tariff from April 2025, expected to increase to 20% in July, is likely to cause a sharp drop in...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
- International Trade
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2025
- Product innovation level
- Total imports, level and trend
- Total exports, level and trend
- Trade Balance
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2025
- Major market segmentation in 2025
- International trade, including imports by country and exports by country
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
- Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The Border is attractive to sheep processors. The region has high-quality grazing grass and favourable weather conditions all year round.
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2025
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Consolidation activity has risen owing to pricing pressures from supermarkets. Acquisitions and mergers by larger companies, including Dawn Meats and Kepak, have supported ec...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Dawn Meats is lowering its carbon footprint to boost sales. In December 2022, the company announced a target of becoming net zero by 2040 through a €100 million investment ac...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
- Overview of Dawn Meats Group's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of ABP Food Group Ireland's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Kepak Group's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Dawn Meats Group, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for ABP Food Group Ireland, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Kepak Group, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The state has invested in Ireland's meat and dairy processors post-Brexit. In November 2021, the government awarded funding of €70 million between 22 projects to support the ...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Staff shortages encourage processors to invest in automation. Meat Industry Ireland confirmed staff shortages of up to 2,000 employees for meat factories in October 2021.
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Meat Processing industry in Ireland in 2025?
The market size of the Meat Processing industry in Ireland is €5.9bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Meat Processing industry in Ireland in 2025?
There are 135 businesses in the Meat Processing industry in Ireland, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.7 % between 2020 and 2025.
How may import tariffs affect the Meat Processing industry in Ireland?
The Meat Processing industry in Ireland is likely to be significantly impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a high share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Meat Processing industry in Ireland?
The Meat Processing industry in Ireland is likely to be significantly impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a high share of industry revenue.
Has the Meat Processing industry in Ireland grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Meat Processing industry in Ireland has been growing at a CAGR of 11.8 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Meat Processing industry in Ireland over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Meat Processing industry in Ireland is expected to decline.
What are the biggest companies in the Meat Processing industry in Ireland?
The biggest companies operating in the Meat Processing industry in Ireland are Dawn Meats Group, ABP Food Group Ireland and Kepak Group
What does the Meat Processing industry in Ireland include?
Beef and veal and Lamb and sheep are part of the Meat Processing industry in Ireland.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Meat Processing industry in Ireland?
The company holding the most market share in the Meat Processing industry in Ireland is Dawn Meats Group.
How competitive is the Meat Processing industry in Ireland?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Meat Processing industry in Ireland.
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Competitors
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Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Ireland include:
- Central Statistics Office
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
- Irish Tax & Customs
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
