Blow to Irish weanling trade as Algeria closes for cattle imports
Irish weanling exporters have been informed that Algeria has closed for all cattle imports, Agriland understands.
Agriland initially heard speculation on Friday (October 23) that the Algerian market would temporarily close and that news has been confirmed this morning by key industry stakeholders (Tuesday, October 27).
It's understood however, that the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has not received official confirmation on cattle imports to Algeria being suspended as of this morning (Tuesday, October 27).
However sources within Bord Bia, as well as other key industry stakeholders confirmed that the market has been closed.
Bord Bia confirmed to Agriland that the Algerian market is "temporarily closed" and that the organisation is looking for alternative markets.
A key Algerian livestock representative also confirmed: "Algeria has officially announced the suspension of livestock imports following the emergence of a new serotype of the foot-and-mouth disease virus.
"Livestock imports are not expected to resume until the vaccination campaign has been carried out.
"Several livestock markets have also been closed across different regions of the country."
As of Saturday, October 10, Irish cattle exports to Algeria had increased by almost 3,500 head to 5,400 head - driven predominantly by strong demand for Irish weanlings from the north African country.
Exports to Morocco were up 1,500 head also, to reach 3,800 head.
Blow to Irish weanling trade
The news of the market closing will come as a blow to the Irish weanling trade as the north African market had been a key export outlet for Irish weanlings until now.
Conversations with Irish weanling exporters earlier this autumn suggested that demand for Irish weanlings from traditional market outlets on mainland Europe was not as strong as previous years, with price being a factor in this.
Weanling export numbers down 25%
Weanling exports to date this year are running almost 10,000 head or 25% below this time last year.
As of Saturday, October 10, just over 28,600 head of weanlings have been exported from Ireland, down by over 9,600 head on last year.
Total Irish cattle exports to Spain are down 17,500 head or 16% to date this year to just under 92,000 head.
Cattle exports to Italy are also down 4,000 head or 11% to date this year to 33,300 head.
The table below details Irish cattle exports by type as of October 10 versus last year:
| Type | 2025 | 2026 | Change (Head) | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calves | 223,022 | 208,421 | -14,601 | -7% |
| Weanlings | 38,259 | 28,628 | -9,631 | -25% |
| Stores | 31,426 | 28,115 | -3,311 | -11% |
| Adult cattle | 33,969 | 28,999 | -4,970 | -15% |
| Total | 326,676 | 294,163 | -32,513 | -10% |
For the purpose of the table above:
- Calves are classified as all cattle under six weeks-of-age;
- Weanlings are all cattle from six weeks-of-age to six months-of-age;
- Store cattle are all cattle from six months-of-age to 24 months-of-age;
- Adult cattle are all cattle from 24 months-of-age upwards.
As can be seen in the table above, Irish cattle export numbers are down in all categories.
The news in August of Brittany Ferries ending its livestock transport service from Ireland also came as a blow to suppliers of Irish calves to mainland Europe.
With only one ferry company currently offering the service, no alternatives have been found as yet to transport these additional Irish calves to key markets in Europe next spring.
