Food Industry

Thursday, 1 June 2023

Questions (272)

Alan Dillon

Question:

272. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way the current volume of imported beef compares to the corresponding period in previous years; if there are any notable increases or decreases in imports during this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26847/23]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The volume of beef imports has been revised down significantly following an error identified by the CSO. The amended data requested by the Deputy is provided below. There have also been slight changes to the methodology used to compile the data. The dataset has been revised from January 2021 to April 2023, so this time frame has been used below.

There were 11,235 tonnes of beef imported into Ireland from January to April 2023. This compares to 11,718 tonnes and 8,877 tonnes of beef imported into Ireland over the same period in 2022 and 2021 respectively.

		Jan-Apr 2021		Jan-Apr 2022		Jan-Apr 2023
	Exports	Imports	Exports	Imports	Exports	Imports
Category	Tonnes	Tonnes	Tonnes	Tonnes	Tonnes	Tonnes
Beef	140,384	8,877	157,871	11,718	153,846	11,235

There were 36,864 tonnes of beef imported into Ireland for full year 2022, which compares to 35,071 tonnes of beef imports in 2021.

		Jan-Dec 2021		Jan-Dec 2022
	Exports	Imports	Exports	Imports
Category	Tonnes	Tonnes	Tonnes	Tonnes
Beef	455,581	35,071	491,576	36,864

While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the data contained within, in view of the volume of statistical data collected as part of agrifood trade statistics, some errors in respect of individual products may occur. Where these anomalies are identified, my Department will liaise with the CSO to highlight and amend the information as required.