Ireland is a leading player on the world stage for quality assured beef, setting the standard for taste, sustainability and craftsmanship.
This reputation rang true at the 2025 World Steak Challenge, where Irish producers claimed the prestigious titles of World’s Best Steak, Europe’s Best Steak, World’s Best Grass-Fed Ribeye and World’s Best Grass-Fed Sirloin, and secured an impressive 68 of the 304 medals awarded – more than any other country.
Leading the charge, Dawn Meats and Lidl captured the coveted top honour of World’s Best Steak for their exceptional grass-fed sirloin Angus Striploin, reaffirming Ireland’s reputation for world-class beef.
Since its launch in 2015, this prestigious competition has celebrated the world’s best beef, benchmarking producers and processors on steak quality, breed excellence, and processing standard.
What’s the secret behind Irish beef scooping up major awards?
It has a proven track record for taste and quality, strong sustainability credentials and a responsive supply chain that aligns closely with the needs of the British market. These strengths set Ireland apart on the world stage and make it an invaluable partner for the UK’s foodservice industry.
Where Irish beef is thriving, UK beef production is declining, even as meat continues to dominate UK menus. As supply chains face increasing pressure, nearly two-thirds of diners are choosing meat dishes when eating out, meaning chefs must continue to deliver delicious dishes despite this sourcing challenge to remain competitive.
This is where Ireland’s success becomes a shared advantage. Its world-leading standards ensure that UK kitchens can continue to serve premium beef with confidence, consistency, and provenance.
Beef in particular is gaining ground as consumers seek premium, elevated experiences, contributing to the strong demand for Quality Assured Irish beef. In fact, Irish beef accounts for 77% of all beef imports into the UK.¹⁻²
“As demand grows for food that balances quality, nutrition and sustainability, beef production must meet these challenges to support kitchens up and down the country, whilst maintaining consumer trust,” says Sean Deane, Market Specialist at Bord Bia.
“Irish farmers are leading the way – prioritising carbon efficiency, traceability and maintaining sustainable practices rooted in tradition and innovation. By partnering with these producers, the UK hospitality industry can champion a future that is not only a responsible and ethical, but also rich in flavour and uncompromising on taste.”
Traceability and trust: Why Irish beef delivers confidence
Every cut of Quality Assured Irish beef can be traced from farm to fork via a robust system that guarantees transparency, safety and trust in every bite – reassuring both chefs and consumers.
That traceability, paired with proximity to the UK, makes Quality Assured Irish beef a dependable partner. It’s close enough to support reliable and low-risk supply, reducing lead-time and complexity. Combined with consistency, it’s a viable choice for the ever-evolving needs of the British hospitality industry.
“We made a strategic decision to partner with an Irish supplier, and the experience has been incredibly positive. We’ve built a strong, collaborative relationship and truly value the trust and support they’ve provided throughout the process.”
Fred Webster-Trussell, Managing Director, Patty & Bun
Today’s diners are surrounded by choice, so chefs must work harder to attract customers. Quality and provenance are just two of the factors consumers consider when making dining decisions.³ Both underpin Irish beef’s success in the UK market.
Whether it’s Quality Assured Irish beef, Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) beef or organic, all have the credentials that chefs and restaurants can confidently stand behind. PGI beef is an EU quality mark recognising the unique characteristics of Irish-produced beef, guaranteeing that every stage takes place in Ireland under strict quality and verification standards. Likewise, organic beef is also a natural fit for UK menus as it aligns with consumer values, providing a high-integrity option due to cattle being raised under specific standards.⁴
Delivering on taste and nutrition
Quality Assured Irish Beef is also in demand for its notable great taste and being an excellent source of protein, with 90% of UK beef shoppers recognising its nutritional value, catering to health-conscious consumers and those on high-protein diets.⁵
A Bord Bia study of UK foodservice operators and diners found that 40% of consumers are choosing healthier menu options compared to a year ago. This is a trend mirrored in customer orders seen by over 80% of chefs and caterers, therefore shaping menu strategies.
“When it comes to sales, our most popular item is Irish beef. We see a higher proportion of people going for that. People really see it as a healthy alternative on the menu.”
Tom Cook, Executive Head Chef, Smith and Wollensky
Ireland’s green grasslands provide perfect conditions for award winning beef that delivers on both taste and nutrition. The pasture-raised approach that defines Quality Assured Irish beef sees cattle grazing outdoors for an average of over 240 days a year, contributing to the distinctive flavour customers know and love. Under PGI Irish Grass Fed Beef at least 90% of the cow’s diet must be from grass or grass-based forages.
Driving measurable change
Quality Assured Irish beef not only delivers on flavour, it showcases sustainable farming in action. The industry is experiencing increasing pressure across the supply chain to source locally and responsibly and support a resilient food system. Ireland offers a reliable solution through the world’s first national food and drink sustainability initiative Origin Green and AgNav.
Origin Green, the heart of Ireland’s sustainability efforts, involves over 60,000 farmers and 350 leading companies, driving measurable, independently verified improvements in carbon, water and biodiversity across the supply chain. AgNav, the digital platform within the Origin Green ecosystem, equips farmer with data driven tools to monitor, forecast and act on sustainability.
By partnering with Origin Green members, kitchen teams can confidently offer products with verified sustainability credentials that meet consumer demand.
The trusted choice for chefs and diners
As diners increasingly seek quality and provenance in every bite, Irish beef stands out as the chef’s natural choice. It combines exceptional flavour and nutritional value with the assurance of sustainability and integrity from farm to fork. For chefs, this means confidence that every dish not only meets customer expectations but also supports responsible sourcing.
Learn more about Bord Bia and how Quality Assured Irish beef can elevate your dishes.
References
1. Consumers craving meaty meals when dining out. AHDB. October 2025.
2. Bord Bia Export Performance and Prospects report 08.01.25.
3. Adults seek clarity on the source of their food. Food Manufacture. December 2022.
4. Discerning consumers drive demand for natural and organic meat products. The National Provisioner. May 2025.
5. Meat Shopper Monitor UK Market Q2 25.
