Live exports increase by 200%

Marts: A strong continental trade for good weanlings has seen a sharp rise in live exports and a boost in return to producers of quality stock. Live exports of weanlings and young stores exceeded 2,000 head per week for the second time this year when exports for the last week in August reached 2,038.

Exports of weanlings and young stores for the first eight months of the year were increased by more than 200% at 36,449 compared to 11,616 for the same period last year. The outflow of the young stock to European feeders is now close to the 2003 level, when almost 41,000 head were exported live in the first eight months.

Exports have been mainly to Spain and Italy with smaller numbers going to other EU markets.