Increase in Irish Live Exports

IRELAND - Irish live exports of cattle have increased for the year to date, and are currently standing at 216,050 head, according to Eoin Kelly, Business Analyst, Bord Bia-Irish Food Board.
calendar icon 17 November 2014
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BordBia

This highlights an increase of 14 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year.

Latest figures show cattle exports of 4,575 head were recorded for the week ending November 1st according to the Department of Agriculture’s AIM system.

Year to date figures show a decline in the live export of weanlings by around 2,000 head.

However, this has been offset by a 15 per cent and 28 per cent rise in stores and finished cattle respectively. Live exports of calves are up 13 per cent so far this year, and make up 47 per cent of total live exports.

The principal destination for the live cattle trade continues to be the UK, followed by continental markets such as Spain, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands, and international markets such as North Africa.

The number of cattle moved to the UK so far this year increased by 10 per cent on last year’s results to almost 59,000 head.

This is driven by an 11 per cent rise in finished cattle exports and significant increases in exports of calves and stores. The number of animals exported to Italy has increased by 21 per cent, to reach over 28,000 head, with stores and weanlings driving the trade there.

Similarly Spain has seen a strong increase in numbers, with a 23 per cent rise in live cattle exports to date this year. This has been driven by increases across all categories, but particularly for weanlings and calves.

Focusing on international markets, over 18,000 head of cattle have been exported to date this year, an 11 per cent increase on last year. North Africa is the main destination internationally, with Libya continuing to drive trade, with numbers up 22 per cent compared to the previous year's levels.

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