Irish Country Meats Becomes First Irish Lamb Processor to Enter US Market

Irish Country Meats (ICM), one of Europe’s leading lamb processors and the specialist sheep meat division of ABP Food Group, has become the first Irish company to export lamb to the United States.

The milestone agreement will see ICM supply premium Irish lamb to Marx Foods, a US-based wholesaler known for sourcing high-quality meat and seafood for top-tier restaurants across America. The first shipment has already been dispatched from ICM’s state-of-the-art facility in Camolin, Co. Wexford, with a delegation from the family-owned Marx Foods recently visiting the site to mark the launch. Jerome Aherne, Managing Director of ICM, said: “We are proud to be the first Irish lamb processor approved to export to the US. This represents a major step forward not just for ICM and ABP, but for the entire Irish meat sector. There is strong demand in the US hospitality market for premium lamb, and we’re excited to deliver Irish quality to new customers.” He also praised the efforts of ICM teams in Camolin and Navan, along with the company’s farmer suppliers, for their role in reaching this milestone. Justin Marx, Executive Vice President of Marx Foods, commented: “At Marx Foods, we’re dedicated to sourcing the finest products from around the world. Our partnership with ICM allows us to bring premium Irish lamb to our US customers, and we’re impressed by the quality and professionalism at their Camolin facility.” This expansion into the US follows a series of international breakthroughs for ABP Food Group. In 2024, ABP became the first Irish beef processor to export to South Korea, and in 2018 it was the first European beef processor to enter the Chinese market through a major deal with Wowprime Corporation. ABP also partnered with Beijing Hopewise Ltd in 2019 to bring Irish beef to Chinese consumers via JD.com, one of the country’s largest online retailers. [caption id="attachment_93135" align="alignnone" width="300"] Irish Country Meats has become the first Irish lamb processor to launch in the US market. Pictured are (L:R) James Byrne, General Manager, ICM Camolin; Justin Marx, Executive Vice President, Marx Foods; and Paschal Walsh, Commercial Director, Irish Country Meats. Photo credit: Jim Campbell Photography.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_93136" align="alignnone" width="300"] Irish Country Meats has become the first Irish lamb processor to launch in the US market. Pictured are (L:R) James Byrne, General Manager, ICM Camolin; Justin Marx, Executive Vice President, Marx Foods; and Paschal Walsh, Commercial Director, Irish Country Meats. Photo credit: Jim Campbell Photography.[/caption]