Sharp decline in live cattle exports

Marts: First-half figures for live exports of cattle show that the improvement in exports in 2003 has not been maintained as exports to the end of June have slipped sharply.

Live export sales for January-June 2004 have fallen for all categories with weanlings and young stores recording the largest fall compared to last year and sales to third country markets dwindling to a trickle.

Total live exports for the six months to the end of June were down by 44% at 66,000 head, a drop of 51,000 head, which has eroded most of the gain achieved during the same period in 2003. Within the overall sales to non EU markets - the Lebanon - fell by 90% to just over 2,000 head and sales to continental EU outlets were down by 48%. Live sales to British sources showed an increase of 5,000 head to 20,281 head. The Netherlands became the principal market, accounting for exports of 28,000 head. Live exports to Spain - principally a weanling market - were down by 85% with just 6,000 head being shipped, reflecting a sluggish demand from feedlot operations in Spain for the year to date.