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More than 1,800 finished continental bulls were loaded in Waterford Port this week and are on the way to Turkey.
The shipment loaded by live export company Purcell Brothers was made up of continental-type bulls weighing up to 650kg. This contract was separate from Purcell Brothers’ ongoing contract to supply 20,000 young feeder type bulls to this market. The firm has to-date sent three loads of feeder bulls to Turkey.
Loading of the cattle on Monday was supervised by veterinary staff from the Department of Agriculture and veterinary officials from Turkey.
IFA livestock chair Angus Woods was on hand to observe the shipment and he discussed the trade with the Turkish officials who were present.
“I got very positive news about Irish stock. They said Irish weanlings are performing exceptionally well in Turkey and are the animals of choice among feeders there, preferred to cattle from South America. Turkish feeders are competing to get Irish stock from the central government agency which distributes imported cattle.”
He welcomed the positive business relationship that is building between Turkey and Ireland for cattle exports.
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