The arrival of Irish sheepmeat on US shores is the culmination of a long process. As Darren Carty reports, the market has been open to Irish product since 2022 but it has taken three years to bring it to fruition, with Irish Country Meats now supplying the US wholesaler Marx Foods.
US lamb imports have more than doubled to 140,000t in the decade since 2014, and Ireland’s reputation as a producer of the highest quality meats and the strong Irish diaspora will hopefully combine to create demand for Irish lamb across the United States.
Australia and New Zealand currently meet 99% of the US demand for imports, and their costs of production are far lower than Irish farmers, so competing with the southern hemisphere on volume is a non-runner.
However, Irish farm produce can always compete on quality, and Bord Bia’s work in building the reputation of Irish sheepmeat production among US buyers will be of paramount importance.
It’s hoped that Irish products will play well in the high-end restaurant market and, with its environmental and grass-based credentials, attract younger consumers.
With US demand on the rise and the possibility of higher volumes of Australian and New Zealand meat coming to the UK and continental European market, it is vital that every opportunity for Irish sheepmeat in the US market is captured by the sector.
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