The number of weanlings exported from Ireland by live-export means has dropped by 27% during the first eight weeks of 2016 on 2015 levels, figures from the Department of Agriculture show.
Approximately 1,600 weanlings were shipped this year to the week ending February 20, which is 585 lower than the same time in 2015.
Recently, mart managers have reported that weanling exporters are struggling to purchase cattle due to the demand for these animals from domestic finishers and feeders.
Figures from the Department also show that there has been a sharp rise in the number of calves shipped by live-export means.
Calf exports during the first eight weeks of 2016 stood at 4,411 head, which is 4,116 (+1,395%) higher than the same time last year.
But, despite the increase in the number of calves shipped, a reported lack of ship activity over the past couple of weeks has limited the number of calves exported.
As a result, the prices paid for Friesian bull calves have dropped by as much as €10/head in some venues.
The Department’s data also shows that there has been a rise in finished cattle exports. Live exports of finished cattle have increased by 9.8% (+456 head) to February 20, 2016 on the same time in 2015.
Source: Bord Bia
Exports by destination
The figures from the Department of Agriculture and presented by Bord Bia also show that there has been an increase in the number of cattle exported to the continent.
The number of Irish cattle shipped to Continental Europe during the first eight weeks of 2016 jumped by over 300% on the numbers exported during the first eight weeks of 2015.
The highest increases have occurred in Spain (+2,472) and Holland (+2,170), two countries commonly associated with calf imports.
The data also shows that exports to Italy have also increased by about 855 head (+88%) in the first eight weeks of 2016 compared to 2015.
Meanwhile, closer to home, the number of cattle exported to Northern Ireland during the first eight weeks of 2016 has jumped by 18.6% (+847 head).
Live cattle exports to the UK have also increase during this period, with an extra 763 head (+14.9%) exported from Ireland to the UK during the first eight weeks of 2016 on the same time in 2015.