Live exports of Irish cattle continue to lag behind 2015 levels with almost 25% fewer cattle exported in 2016. This equates to over 33,000 head, according to Bord Bia data.Exports to Northern Ireland (NI) have dropped by 51% or 16,212 head. The vast majority of these cattle would be heavy stores suited to direct slaughter or for a short intensive finishing period.
Live exports of Irish cattle continue to lag behind 2015 levels with almost 25% fewer cattle exported in 2016. This equates to over 33,000 head, according to Bord Bia data.
Exports to Northern Ireland (NI) have dropped by 51% or 16,212 head. The vast majority of these cattle would be heavy stores suited to direct slaughter or for a short intensive finishing period.
With sterling weakening substantially against the euro, the absence of northern buyers in southern marts has been clearly visible this year. It is unlikely that this trend will be reversed this autumn, given that sterling has been devalued further in recent weeks.
The Netherlands is the other main market that has recorded a massive drop, with fewer calf exports this year despite early anticipation that there would be strong demand for these animals. Tighter regulations on the movement of live cattle by Dutch authorities have had a marked impact on the calf trade.
The Italian market is a highly valued outlet for Irish weanlings accounting for 25,000 head in 2015. To date, exports are running ahead of 2015 levels and reflect good demand earlier this year. The main buying season for Italy is usually in early autumn.
Early signals from live exporters is that demand is slow and will be limited to top-quality weanlings with exceptional muscling. Beef prices in Italy have come under pressure in recent weeks, which dampens demand for imported cattle and is reflected by limited buying activity from shipping agents to date.
However, there was a similar outlook coming into the autumn of 2015 and there was a recovery in shipping
activity.
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