ABP Food Group has collected 41 stars at the 2026 Great Taste Awards across 27 products from the group's beef and lamb range.

Two products were also awarded the highest three-star accreditation - both of which have progressed to the next round of the competition, the Golden Fork.

Great Taste awards products on flavour, with one-, two- and three-star ratings acting as respected seals of approval for retail buyers, foodservice customers and consumers.

In 2026, the highest three-star accreditation was awarded only to products judged to be “exquisite and extraordinary”, with all three-star winners invited into a further stage of judging for Golden Fork consideration. 

ABP

The 27 ABP products span its beef and lamb portfolio, including entries from Irish Country Meats, ABP’s dedicated lamb division.

Of the 41 stars allocated, nine Irish Country Meats products achieved 12 stars, while 18 ABP beef products, including the Reserve Collection range, achieved 29 stars.

ABP’s Reserve Collection Irish Angus range performed particularly well, with seven products collecting 11 stars.

Wagyu beef products also delivered a notable performance, accounting for nine stars, representing more than one-fifth of ABP’s overall star total.

‘Endorsement’ 

Managing director of ABP Ireland, Jerome Aherne said: “We are delighted to receive this recognition at the Great Taste Awards."

He added: “These awards are an endorsement of the care, expertise and commitment that go into producing premium-quality Irish beef and lamb.

“They are also a testament to the dedication of our employees and farmer suppliers, whose focus on quality and consistency is reflected in this strong performance across our portfolio.” 

Managing director of Irish Country Meats, Daniel Lyons said: “This is a very strong endorsement for Irish Country Meats and for the quality of Irish lamb.

“To have nine Irish Country Meats products achieve 12 stars at the Great Taste Awards is a terrific result for our teams, our farmer suppliers and our retail partners. 

Organised by the Guild of Fine Food, Great Taste is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading food and drink accreditation schemes.

The 2026 awards attracted more than 15,000 entries from producers across 116 countries, with products assessed through a blind judging process by panels including chefs, buyers, food writers, retailers, and producers.

Great Taste entries are assessed without branding or packaging, with taste considered first and foremost alongside appearance, aroma, texture, and mouthfeel.