Calf exporters say they are concerned about low confidence among veal producers in the Netherlands at present.

Dutch veal producers export the majority of their production, mainly to other EU markets.

However, exports have been hit in 2020 by the closure of restaurants and other food service outlets across the EU.

Average EU veal prices are running 9.2% behind last year, according to latest figures from the EU Commission.

Prices

Veal prices went as low as €4/kg last summer, at which point many producers were not breaking even.

Prices recovered to just around €4.90/kg in November. The average price for early December was €4.87/kg. A price of €5/kg is seen as a benchmark for a good return.

Next March, veal farms will be buying calves which will go for slaughter from August onwards.

Their appetite for calves will depend on whether they believe that EU governments are getting the coronavirus pandemic under control.

Welfare

Irish calf exporters have less concern about lairage capacity at Cherbourg for next spring, or about meeting welfare requirements.

Once ferries keep operating, there will be enough capacity for carrying livestock trucks, they say.