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The NI sheep kill hit an eight-year low in 2019 with 415,294 head processed in local factories, down by 5,050 on the previous year.
In total, there were 385,694 lambs and hoggets slaughtered, along with 29,600 ewes.
Exports of sheep from NI to slaughter plants in the Republic of Ireland were also down in 2019, totalling 390,050, a 10% drop from the 432,460 head exported in 2018. It is the lowest number of exports south since 2015, and the result of weaker demand from export plants during last year.
Smaller flock
The reduction in NI lamb numbers slaughtered across Ireland in 2019 is mainly due to a smaller ewe flock, which stood at 938,500 in June 2019, a 2% reduction on the previous year, and the lowest breeding flock recorded in NI since 2014.
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