Farmers hail big opportunity in Turkish market

Beef farmers have described the planned shipment this week of cattle to Turkey as a major opportunity for the Irish livestock sector.

IFA president Joe Healy said Turkey needed to import up to 400,000 head of live cattle annually. In 2015, Turkey imported 380,000 head of cattle, the bulk from South America and up to 120,000 from France.

“A strong live trade is essential to maximising competition and to put a solid floor under weanlings this back end,” said Mr Healy.