Sheep throughput has fallen to its lowest level since 2012 following a massive drop of over 370,000 head in 2024.

Figures from the Department of Agriculture for the first 51 weeks of 2024 show throughput recorded at 2.47m head. This equates to a fall of 370,954 head, or some 13% lower, as detailed in the graph below.

Significant reductions were recorded across all categories. The hogget kill of 904,810 head is running 82,249 head, or 8%, lower, while the lamb kill of 1.3m head fell by 224,986 head, or 15% year-on-year.

The ewe and ram kill of 265,966 head recorded the greatest percentage reduction of 19%, with throughput falling by 63,686 head.

The reduction in throughput was particularly evident in the latter part of the year, with almost 150,000 fewer lambs and over 30,000 fewer ewes and rams slaughtered from week 41 to week 51.

Lamb prices

This is despite lamb prices running €1.15/kg higher across the year, and over €1.50/kg higher at certain times within this period. Lamb prices for the first 50 weeks of 2024 are recorded by Bord Bia as averaging €7.75/kg, approximately €1.15/kg above the five-year average figure.

The sharp reduction in throughput has limited Irish processors export capacity, with Bord Bia reporting a 22% drop in exports for the first nine months of 2024.

This figure is likely to be even higher given the sharp fall of in production in the final quarter of 2024.