Irish dairy calf exports have fallen by 60% in the first nine weeks of this year compared to the same time period of last year.
Latest figures from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) show that just over 18,000 Irish dairy calves have been exported in the first nine weeks of this year, whereas in the first nine weeks of 2023, just over 45,000 calves had been exported, indicating a drop of 60%.
There are a number of reasons why dairy calf exports have gotten off to a slower start this spring with both mart managers and calf exporters reporting a delay in the large calf sales kicking off this spring.
As well as this, there have been some issues with ferry crossings as a result of stormy sea conditions which stalls livestock transport on ferries.
Competition for spaces on ferries sailing from Ireland to Cherbourg, France, has also been a challenge for calf exporters this spring.
Despite these challenges and the slow start to calf exports this spring, market conditions indicate there remains a firm demand for Irish calves from key customers on mainland Europe, and calf export numbers are expected to increase sharply over the coming weeks.
In the first nine weeks of the year, the largest volume of Irish calves have been exported to Spain, the Netherlands and Poland respectively.
Just over 7,000 calves have gone to Spain with just over 5,000 going to the Netherlands and just over 2,500 calves going to Poland.
Over 1,600 Irish calves have gone to Romania and 1,200 have been exported to Italy in the first nine weeks of this year.
Looking at overall cattle exports, a total of just over 35,000 head of cattle have been exported to date. While calf and weanling exports have fallen by 60% and 22% respectively, store and adult cattle exports have increased by 56% and 54% respectively.