Ireland expects an increase in livestock exports
Irish cattle exports could reach up to 300,000 head this year, according to Bord Bia officials. "This year, 266,101 cattle have been exported and this is expected to reach 300,000 by the end of the year. This is a 20% increase compared to last year. Over 190,000 calves were exported, mainly to Spain and the Netherlands – which took over 80,000 head alone. Furthermore, there are three more boatloads of cattle set to be exported to Libya before the end of the year," declared Joe Burke, senior meat and livestock manager at Bord Bia, during a Teagasc beef and sheep seminar.
The number will represent a record level in livestock exports, at least in the last 15 years but at the same time, the beef and lamb sectors in the domestic market have seen challenging times during 2018, with a reduction of 60,000 cattle in slaughtering compared to 2018.
Burke also mentioned that China may represent an alternative for Irish beef producers. "We have been testing out the market this year and we have got a positive reaction. This has resulted in 19 Irish abattoirs getting approval to export Irish beef into China. Due to the situation with African swine fever in China, it has opened up a pathway for Irish beef", he added, according to Agriland magazine.
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