The number of sheep slaughtered in Ireland in the first quarter (Q1) of 2025 stood at 580,200, according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

This represents a decrease of 169,000 head or 22.6% when compared to the same period last year (759,300).

Between January and March 2025, cattle slaughterings are estimated to be almost 483,000 head, a decrease of around 500 head (-0.1%) when compared with Q1 2024.

Pig slaughterings are estimated to be 842,000 head between January and March 2025, up over 6,000 (0.8%) head on the same period in 2024.

Commenting on the Livestock Slaughterings March 2025 report, Mairead Griffin, statistician in the CSO's Agriculture Accounts and Production Section, said:

"Cattle slaughterings increased by 3.5% to more than 158,000 head in March 2025 when compared with March 2024 (153,100).

"Pig slaughterings grew by 0.3% to approximately 275,000 heads in March 2025."

Separate data recently published by the CSO showed that cattle, sheep and milk prices all increased significantly in the year to February 2025

In the 12 months to February 2025, the agricultural output price index rose by 20.2%, while the agricultural input price index dropped by 3.1%.

The CSO’s data showed the most significant output price increases in the year to February 2025 were in cattle (+27.2%), milk (+24.4%), and sheep (+23.8%).

However, the CSO recorded decreases in potatoes (-4.4%) and vegetables (-1.5%).

Over the 12 months to February 2025, there were significant reductions in the input prices recorded for electricity (-7.0%), feed (-6.6%), and fertilisers (-3.3%).

Plant protection products increased by 4.8% and veterinary expenses rose by 4.7%.