Large increase in live cattle exports

IRISH live cattle exports at 123,000 are up by 53,000 head or 44% for the January to November period this year, compared to the same 11-month term last year, reflecting stronger demand and competitive prices.

Bord Bia says the main contributors to this large increase in live exports were the store, calf and weanling categories which increased by 8,000, 24,000, and 20,000 head respectively this year. Finished live exports were also up 1,200 head (+9%), with the majority going to Lebanon.

In the period under review, exports to Spain were greatest at 46,000 head (+27,000 head), followed by Italy with trade totalling 43,000 head (+25,000 head) and the Netherlands - where exports totalled 42,000 head (+12,000 head).