The positive outlook for live exports of calves hinges on finding a ferry to replace the Stena Horizon, which is being withdrawn from service in February for four weeks of refurbishment. The company is said to be reviewing its fleet with hopes of finding an alternative ferry with suitable freight capacity that can fill the void.
The positive outlook for live exports of calves hinges on finding a ferry to replace the Stena Horizon, which is being withdrawn from service in February for four weeks of refurbishment.
The company is said to be reviewing its fleet with hopes of finding an alternative ferry with suitable freight capacity that can fill the void.
The window for exporting calves is relatively tight and has come under even more pressure in recent years with a focus in dairy herds in operating a tight calving period.
2017 exports commenced in significant volumes in the week ending 19 February, with 1,197 calves exported.
The following weeks experienced a sharp upward trend, with exports of 3,948, 6,646 and 8,478 head, before reaching its peak of 10,576 in the week ending 12 March.
This coincides with dairy births, with 52,389 male calves born to a dairy sire in January 2017, followed by a peak of 186,217 in February and 72,504 in March.
Thereafter, male births to dairy sires reduced sharply, with just 25,304 dairy birth registrations in April 2017 and 10,512 in May.
Provided that a ferry is sorted, live exporters are optimistic about the trade in 2018, with many aiming to handle more calves and increase throughput.
The Netherlands has traditionally been the main market for calves and accounted for exports of 41,374 calves in 2017. It was marginally bettered by Spain, which imported 43,958 calves, with the two markets combined importing 85,332 head from a total of 101,258 calves exported.
The outlook for both markets in 2018 is very positive, with demand in Dutch veal units helped by lower domestic dairy births and a recovery in veal markets.
Demand from Spain is being underpinned by ongoing strong live exports of store and finished bulls from Spain to north African markets.
Italy emerged as a significant market in 2017, with imports of 8,381 calves and is said to be looking positive for a repeat performance in 2018.
Exports to Belgium resumed after a two-year lapse (due to IBR regulations), with 4,182 calves imported and potential to grow throughput, while France is the other main market purchasing 2,432 calves in 2017.
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