Bord Bia Launches Irish Lamb in the U.S.
October 29, 2025 | 4 min to read
Irish lamb served for the first time in the US since access was granted in 2022; Total Irish food and drink exports to the US valued at $2 billion (€1.8 billion) in 2024, up 22% from 2023, making the US Ireland’s second largest export market after the UK
NEW YORK, NY – Bord Bia (the Irish Food Board) has launched Irish lamb in the US at a landmark event in New York. Irish lamb was yesterday served for the first time in the US, following access for Ireland to export lamb in 2022.
The event, which took place on Park Avenue, showcased to food media, chefs, restaurateurs, and trade partners the exceptional quality, sustainability, and provenance of Irish lamb, which is pasture-raised on family farms across Ireland.
Renowned Irish chef Mark Morarity traveled to the US for the event, preparing a series of dishes designed to highlight the versatility of Irish lamb across global cuisines.
In 2024, total Irish food and drink exports to the US were valued at $2 billion (€1.8 billion), up 22% on 2023, making it Ireland’s second-largest export market after the UK. Sheepmeat consumption in the US is forecast to reach over 17,000 tonnes by 20291, providing perfect export opportunities for Irish companies.
Bord Bia CEO Jim O’Toole explains a key part of promoting Irish lamb stateside will be positioning it as a premium product with high health and nutritional benefits while also highlighting Ireland’s commitment to food safety standards and sustainability.
“Bord Bia’s focus will be on raising the profile of Irish sheepmeat through awareness of it as a premium, natural product sourced from family-run farms, and fully traceable from farm to fork,” said O’Toole. “The success of Irish lamb in the US is also about highlighting the fact that Ireland produces lamb year-round, versus the seasonal production of our competitors. Working with local partners to showcase Ireland’s heritage, quality, and trust or ‘green credentials’ is key.”
US wholesaler Marx Foods, which already imports Irish beef, received the first shipment of lamb to the US this week from Irish Country Meats, the sheepmeat division of ABP Food Group.
“At Marx Imports, our mission is to identify the world’s best meat programmes and bring them to distributors, foodservice, and consumers across the U.S.,” said Justin Marx, EVP of Marx Imports. “ABP is one of those exceptional partners — we’ve built a strong relationship through their Irish beef programme, and we’re thrilled to now introduce their Irish lamb to American dining tables.”
The launch of Irish lamb comes at a time when U.S. consumers and chefs are increasingly seeking sustainable, high-quality proteins. With its natural farming methods, full traceability, and remarkable eating quality, Irish lamb from ABP is perfectly positioned to meet that growing demand.”
Paschal Walsh, Commercial Director with Irish Country Meats said, “We are incredibly proud to see Irish lamb enter the United States, a significant milestone for Ireland’s agri-food sector and Irish Country Meats. Gaining access to the US marketplace is a testament to the dedication of our team and the hard work of our farmers. Irish lamb is renowned for its exceptional taste and quality, and we look forward to the opportunities this development brings for both Irish Country Meats and ABP.”
Bord Bia’s New York office is now targeting lamb buyers in the US for inward visits to Ireland in May 2026 to demonstrate the substance behind Ireland’s claims. Bord Bia plans to also increase its promotion of lamb at trade shows in the US and introduce Irish exporters to potential customers and routes to market.
“We are thrilled to introduce Irish lamb to the US market and to share its distinct flavour and quality with consumers here,” said Bord Bia’s Meat and Foodservice Market Specialist, Adam Hannon. “Irish sheep farmers have long been recognised for producing some of the world’s best lamb, rooted in our grass-fed farming practices and deep respect for nature.”
“Bord Bia has been engaging with key importers and customers over the last year, and we have planned an intensive programme of engagement with key buyers and trade to secure a smooth and swift process for Irish companies wishing to export to the market,” adds Hannon. “This access decision will accelerate Bord Bia’s activities with lamb buyers in retail and foodservice, optimise the value returned to Irish producers, and bring its advertising message closer to the US consumer.”
In 2022, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine confirmed the lifting by the USDA of a ban on EU sheepmeat, paving the way for full market access for Irish sheepmeat exports to the US market.
NOTES TO EDITOR
Currently New Zealand and Australia, the two largest suppliers of imported sheepmeat to the US, represent 98% of all imports in volume terms. Australia is the largest supplier to the US accounting for 76% of imports followed by New Zealand which accounts for a further 23% of total imports. (Source: Global trade atlas data for 2021).
Prior to 2022, sheepmeat exports from the EU to the US had been banned due to the presence of scrapie in certain EU member states.
Bord Bia’s 2025 Lamb Usage and Attitudes research
Research carried out by Bord Bia of the US lamb market in 2022 was updated in 2025 to deliver key insights into lamb availability in the market and provided understanding of the consumer experience, consumption of lamb and consumer’s attitude to the meat.