The number of cattle slaughtered in Ireland in January 2026 fell by 18.4% to 134,300 head compared with January 2025, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

Analysis of Department of Agriculture data shows that in January 2025 the kill stood at 164,700 head, resulting in a drop of over 30,000 head.

The decrease in the cattle kill has led to two Irish beef processors reviewing operations at two of their plants.

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ABP announced earlier this month that it is considering potential redundancies at its cutting and deboning operation in Waterford. It has launched a consultation process with 230 staff.

In January, Kepak announced a similar process was under way at its deboning and cutting operations at its Clonee factory.

Both companies pointed to lower cattle numbers as the reason behind the reviews on staff numbers.

Sheep

The CSO data shows that there was a 2.8% drop in sheep slaughtered in January 2026 compared with January 2025.

Throughput for the month stood at 182,400 head, compared with 187,700 head last year.

Meanwhile, the pig kill increased by 2.6% to 301,000 head in January. It increased from 293,300 head in January of last year.