Ireland has again been named the top-performing country at the World Steak Challenge, taking a record 82 medals at this year's awards in Amsterdam, including 29 golds — the most of any nation. Australia finished second with 42 medals and England third with 26, leaving Ireland with its position as the world's leading grass-fed beef producer intact.

Two category titles went to Irish entries. Tesco Ireland's Angus Cross steak, supplied by ABP, was named World's Best Grass-Fed Sirloin, while Lidl Ireland and Dawn Meats took World's Best Grass-Fed Ribeye for the second year running with an Aberdeen Angus Cross entry.

"Once again, Ireland's grass-fed beef has been recognised as the best in the world," said Joe Burke, senior manager for meat and livestock at Bord Bia, the Irish food board. "These results are testament to the dedication of our farmers and processors, and to the quality that comes from producing beef from pasture-based, sustainable systems under the Origin Green programme." The successes matter, he said, because "they convert into commercial gains for Irish exporters" and open doors with customers abroad.

Dawn Meats chief executive Niall Browne called the ribeye win "a huge endorsement of the quality and consistency our teams work so hard to deliver" and thanked the farming families who supply the company. ABP Food Group commercial director John Walsh said the Tesco award was further recognition of Irish grass-fed beef and the farmers who produce it.

Launched in 2015, the World Steak Challenge is regarded as an international benchmark for the steak trade; thousands of steaks from 25 producing countries have been assessed in independent blind judging since it began. This year's panel of more than 60 experts, including Richie Wilson of Dublin's FIRE Steakhouse and Bar, judged at the Vlees & Co. steakhouse. The overall World's Best Steak went to a Senku Pure Wagyu fillet from Australian producer Paradigm Foods, while ABP UK's Wagyu Cross Holstein fillet, representing Northern Ireland, was named World's Best Grass-Fed Fillet and Europe's Best Steak.

The commercial value of the titles was shown last year: after Ireland's 2025 World's Best Steak win, Lidl ran a €10 million Irish beef promotion across 26 European countries featuring cuts from Dawn Meats and Liffey Meats, supported by Bord Bia's international offices. Breifne O'Brien reported for Agriland.

Source: Agriland