DUBLIN: Irish live cattle shipments have reached a three-year high as some 92,199 have been shipped from Ireland by live export since the beginning of the year. This is an increase of 25,541 head on 2016 levels and 2,437 head on 2015 levels. Figures from Bord Bia show that calf exports, standing at approximately 73,000 head, make up the majority of total shipments. For the most part, Irish calves have been shipped to markets such as the Netherlands and Spain. Exports to these two destinations rest at 36,090 head and 26,540 head respectively.
In addition, almost 4,200 Irish calves have been shipped to Belgium – a market that was closed to Irish exporters in 2016. Bord Bia figures also show that Irish shipments of store and finished cattle are also up on 2016 levels. Finished cattle exports are up by 592 head or 6.1% to reach 10,265 head, while store cattle shipments have climbed 793 head or 24.2% above 2016 levels and currently sit at 4,064 head.
