This is a subscriber-only article
There will be a specific emphasis on live exports in trade missions, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed told the IFA AGM last week.
Minister Creed said that his Department has been acting to increase Ireland’s global footprint and to diversify market opportunities.
“Over the last two years, I’ve led trade missions to a number of Asian and American markets and I am finalising plans for further trade missions in 2019, including a specific emphasis on live exports.
“There have been concrete results on market access for Irish produce, with access to China for beef a good example of that progress being made.
“But if the current impasse is not resolved before 29 March, much more will be needed,” he said.
Live exports in 2018
Last year, the number of cattle exported from Ireland increased by 31% to 246,000 head, with the increased mainly due to a rise in calf exports.
If the current impasse is not resolved before 29 March, much more will be needed
There was a 55% increase in the number of calves exported, with weanling exports up 14% and the number of stores exiting the country up 6%.
There was a drop in live exports of finished cattle of 18%.
Live exports to EU markets accounted for around 80% of the 246,000 head exported in 2018.
SHARING OPTIONS: