Ireland’s grain imports reach 5.1 mln tons amid strong feed demand

Ireland imported around 5.1 mln tons of cereals in 2025, more than twice its domestic production of 2.2 mln tons. Such dependence on foreign supplies creates additional risks for the country’s food security, particularly in the event of disruptions to international trade. This was reported by Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon.

A significant share of imported raw materials is used to meet the needs of the livestock sector, which plays an important role in Ireland’s agricultural economy. According to the minister, around 80% of the country’s animal feed comes from grazed grass and preserved forage. Meanwhile, Ireland produced approximately 6.5 mln tons of compound feed in 2025. Pig and poultry production remain particularly dependent on concentrated feeds, with compound feed accounting for virtually all of their nutritional requirements.

The main imported feed ingredients include corn and corn by-products, soybean meal and hulls, rapeseed meal, vegetable oils and fats, as well as minerals and vitamins. Only around 25% of imported feed comes from other European Union member states. The remainder is sourced mainly from non-EU countries, with Argentina, the United States, Canada and Brazil among the key suppliers. This import structure leaves Irish producers exposed to developments in global grain and oilseed markets.

The stability of feed supplies is becoming increasingly important amid potential trade restrictions, climate risks and logistical challenges. A parliamentary question raised concerns about the country’s preparedness for possible disruptions affecting approximately 4.5 mln tons of imported animal feed annually. Heydon noted that Irish importers have well-established commercial relationships and considerable experience in managing trade and transport disruptions. At the same time, the government is monitoring the availability of critical raw materials and assessing risks to the continuity of feed supply chains.

Ireland also supports EU initiatives aimed at strengthening food security and increasing domestic plant protein production. These issues were discussed during an informal meeting of EU agriculture ministers in September as part of the European Commission’s new Livestock Strategy and Protein Action Plan. The Irish government emphasizes the need to strengthen the resilience of agricultural supply chains, as heavy dependence on imported grain and feed ingredients remains one of the key challenges facing the country’s livestock industry.

Tags: Ireland, compound feed, grain, imports