Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has confirmed that 229 tonnes of Brazilian beef was imported into Ireland in the first three months of 2026.

This compares to 172 tonnes of beef imported from the south American country for the entire of 2025.

In total, 11,084 tonnes of beef was imported into Ireland from third countries in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026, while 37,324 tonnes was imported last year.

The data was released in response to a parliamentary question from Independent TD Carol Nolan who said there had been a "worrying surge" in Brazilian beef imports into Ireland during the opening months of 2026.

"This early year surge highlights the growing presence of third country beef at a time when domestic producers are already under pressure from rising costs, tightening regulations, and ongoing uncertainty around future supports," the Offaly TD said.

Brazilian beef

The latest data available from Eurostat shows that 29,006 tonnes of Brazilian beef was imported into the EU in Q1 2026.

Last year, over 92,300 tonnes of beef was brought into the EU from Brazil.

This represented almost a quarter of the 373,070 tonnes of beef imported into the EU from third countries in 2025.

"Total EU beef imports from third countries reached 90,049 tonnes between January and March 2026," Deputy Nolan noted.

"Farmers are being asked to meet ever higher standards, absorb higher input costs, and comply with increasingly complex regulations.

"Yet at the same time, we are seeing a significant increase in beef entering the Irish and EU markets from countries that do not operate to the same standards," she added.

Minister Heydon said "Ireland is among the largest net exporters of beef globally, with exports valued at a record €3.6 billion in 2025, an increase of €540 million, or 17%, from 2024".

"Irish beef imports during the same period remained relatively low by comparison, equating to 8% and 9% of beef export value and volume respectively.

"In terms of supply, Ireland remained the sixth largest producer of beef in the EU in 2025, with up to 90% of beef produced in Ireland destined for export," he said.

However, Deputy Nolan said the minister’s reply "fails to address the real world impact that cheaper imports can have on price stability, processor leverage, and the long term viability of the suckler and beef sectors".

"It is entirely inconsistent for the State to push policies that constrain domestic production while simultaneously allowing increased volumes of beef from outside the EU to enter the market," she added.