Reopening of Turkish beef market should help drive on cattle prices

THE Turkish market has been opened up for Irish beef exports and should help to drive on cattle prices paid to farmers.

IFA president John Bryan said access to the high-priced Turkish market has already had a major impact on the beef market across Europe, with an increase in German cattle prices of €200 per head.

He said Bord Bia and industry sources have indicated that Turkey could handle imports of 150,000 tonnes annually and become a major destination for European beef in the future.