Information : United States of America

TRADE: 

In 2025 Ireland exported approximately 4,898 tonnes of Pigmeat valued at €20.99 m 

In 2024 Ireland exported approximately 5,299 tonnes of Pigmeat valued at €23.00 m 

In 2023 Ireland exported approximately 3,993 tonnes of Pigmeat valued at €17.02 m 

In 2022 Ireland exported approximately 4,918 tonnes of Pigmeat valued at €24.32 m 

In 2021 Ireland exported approximately 6,323 tonnes of Pigmeat valued at €28.01 m 

In 2020 Ireland exported approximately 5,595 tonnes of Pigmeat valued at €22.73 m 

In 2019 Ireland exported approximately 3,616 tonnes of Pigmeat valued at €13.21 m 

In 2018 Ireland exported approximately 5,145 tonnes of Pigmeat valued at €18.27 m 

PRODUCTS EXPORTED: Fresh or chilled Pigmeat and frozen Pigmeat 

CERTIFICATION ARRANGEMENTS: The certificate is for fresh Pigmeat, Pigmeat products and Pigmeat by products. 

EXPORTER T&C’S:  

• Irish systems have been granted equivalence to USDA systems. 
• Exports can only take place from establishments approved by DAFM, recommended to USDA as meeting the FSIS requirements and subsequently listed by USDA. The list of establishments approved by USDA is maintained online here: https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/f29be677-5d21-4632-9897-7fa919c76281/Ireland_establishments.pdf?MOD=AJPERES 

• Only animals from Ireland are eligible for export to the USA. 
• Specific rules on non-cominglement of pigs and pigmeat and other species from non-USDA approved countries and plants with pigmeat from USDA approved plants apply. 
• The latest trader notice with the currently approved health certificate is Trader Notice no: MH  11/2016: 
  
• Since 2015, as well as the product description, the process category, the product category and the product group must also be indicated on the health certificate – a table relating to this is attached to Trader notice MH 8/2015
  
• A guidance document on FSIS requirements is available for applicant slaughter/cutting plants & cold stores. 

INFORMATION: Contact meatmarketaccess@agriculture.gov.ie 

TRADE: 

In 2025 Ireland exported approximately 2,567 tonnes of beef valued at € 11.94 m 

In 2024 Ireland exported approximately 4,985 tonnes of beef valued at € 19.75 m 

In 2023 Ireland exported approximately 3,191 tonnes of beef valued at € 14.43 m 

In 2022 Ireland exported approximately 3,751 tonnes of beef valued at € 21.03 m 

In 2021 Ireland exported approximately 6,973 tonnes of beef valued at € 36.01 m 

In 2020 Ireland exported approximately 8,144 tonnes of beef valued at € 37.33 m 

In 2019 Ireland exported approximately 4,777 tonnes of beef valued at €25.41 m 

In 2018 Ireland exported approximately 2,135 tonnes of beef valued at €9.52 m 

PRODUCTS EXPORTED: Mainly frozen boneless beef and frozen bovine offal. 

CERTIFICATION ARRANGEMENTS: The certificate is for fresh beef meat, beef meat products and beef meat by products. 

EXPORTER T&C’S: 

• Irish systems have been granted equivalence to USDA systems. 
• Exports can only take place from establishments approved by DAFM, recommended to USDA, and subsequently listed by USDA. 

• The list of establishments approved by USDA is maintained online here: 

https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/f29be677-5d21-4632-9897-7fa919c76281/Ireland_establishments.pdf?MOD=AJPERES 

• Specific rules on non-cominglement of beef from non-USDA approved plants with beef from USDA approved plants apply. Trader Notice 19/2015 refers 
  ﷟HYPERLINK "http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2015/TraderNotice19Noncominglement051115.pdf" 
• Regarding the export of intact cuts, Trader Notice 14/2015 refers. 
• Exports of Beef Intended for Grinding (BFIG) are possible but only from plants that have been specifically approved by DAFM and USDA for that purpose. Further rules in relation to Beef Intended for Grinding (BFIG) apply in relation to STEC, Baseline surveys, N 60 sampling etc.  

• Please contact individual Plant Veterinary Inspector as an SOP is required. 
• Trader Notice 12/2015 refers 
  ﷟HYPERLINK "http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/foodsafetyconsumerissues/meathygiene/tradernotices/2015/TNBaselineSurveySOP070815.pdf" 

INFORMATION: Contact meatmarketaccess@agriculture.gov.ie 

TRADE: 

2024 – 2025 No exports are recorded. 

In 2023 Ireland exported approximately 26 tonnes of sheepmeat valued at €0.03 m 

PRODUCTS EXPORTED: Sheep meat and Sheep meat products. 

CERTIFICATION ARRANGEMENTS: The certificate is for fresh Sheep Meat, Sheep Meat Products, and Sheep meat by- products including edible offal. 

EXPORTER T&C’S: 

Irish systems have been granted equivalence to USDA systems. 

Exports can only take place from establishments approved by DAFM, recommended to USDA, and subsequently listed by USDA. 

Background: 

Countries wishing to export meat to the United States must demonstrate that they have a 

regulatory food safety inspection system that is equivalent to that of the United States, in 

other words they are required to establish and maintain inspection systems equivalent to 

those of the United States. 

Storage of USDA product 

Non-cominglement – Exposed sheep meat and wrapped/packaged sheep meat from USDA 

approved plants must not mix with meat originating in non-USDA approved premises. Meat 

intended for export shall be packed in clean new packaging which is clearly distinguishable 

from that containing meat not eligible for export. It shall be stored in such a way as to 

ensure that no cross contamination occurs. 

A designated area for the exclusive storage of USDA sheep meat / meat products must be 

provided either in cold storage on the site of slaughter/ deboning or in a stand- alone cold 

store (only if USDA approved). 

Further information is available from   meatmarketaccess@agriculture.gov.ie