Weanling exports in 2025 will finish up close to 30% behind the 2024 figure.
The previous 12 months were an exceptional period for the trade, with weanling exports up 70% that year to bring the total number of weanlings exported in 2024 to 65,715. The last 12 months have seen that figure drop by 18,570 weanlings, to 47,145 head in 2025.
In 2024, there were just over 22,000 cattle exported to Morocco. This dropped to just over 2,000 head in 2025. Italy and Spain remain the big destinations for Irish weanlings. Store cattle exports also took a dip on the back of increased prices.
There were 37,024 store cattle exported over the last 12 months, back 13,512 head on the previous two months. Much of this was driven by lower numbers being exported to Northern Ireland, with 9,992 fewer cattle exported to Northern Ireland over the last 12 months.
Finished cattle exports were also back, with 15,737 head less exported in 2025. The previous 12 months had seen finished cattle exports reach 56,533 head. The stock category that recorded a growth in exports in 2025 was calf exports with a massive 223,307 head exported in 2025.
The Netherlands, which continues to be one of Ireland’s largest markets for calves, took 85,426 calves over the last 12 months, up 6,679 calves on the previous 12 months.
Concern remains around the Irish position with calf exports to the Netherlands after 1 July 2026, when IBR restrictions will rule out the Netherlands as an export destination for Irish calves.
Poland and Spain were also very important markets for Irish calves in 2025.
Weanling exports in 2025 will finish up close to 30% behind the 2024 figure.
The previous 12 months were an exceptional period for the trade, with weanling exports up 70% that year to bring the total number of weanlings exported in 2024 to 65,715. The last 12 months have seen that figure drop by 18,570 weanlings, to 47,145 head in 2025.
In 2024, there were just over 22,000 cattle exported to Morocco. This dropped to just over 2,000 head in 2025. Italy and Spain remain the big destinations for Irish weanlings. Store cattle exports also took a dip on the back of increased prices.
There were 37,024 store cattle exported over the last 12 months, back 13,512 head on the previous two months. Much of this was driven by lower numbers being exported to Northern Ireland, with 9,992 fewer cattle exported to Northern Ireland over the last 12 months.
Finished cattle exports were also back, with 15,737 head less exported in 2025. The previous 12 months had seen finished cattle exports reach 56,533 head. The stock category that recorded a growth in exports in 2025 was calf exports with a massive 223,307 head exported in 2025.
The Netherlands, which continues to be one of Ireland’s largest markets for calves, took 85,426 calves over the last 12 months, up 6,679 calves on the previous 12 months.
Concern remains around the Irish position with calf exports to the Netherlands after 1 July 2026, when IBR restrictions will rule out the Netherlands as an export destination for Irish calves.
Poland and Spain were also very important markets for Irish calves in 2025.
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