Optimistic Short-Term Outlook for 2025 Calf Exports
The year 2025 looks promising for Irish calf exports, with steady demand from buyers in important markets like Spain, Italy, Central and Eastern Europe.
In addition, there’s good news for older cattle categories, as there’s strong demand from international buyers, Northern Ireland, and mainland Europe. Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, notes that the live export market is set to stay positive in the short term.
Last year, around 200,000 Irish calves were snapped up by mainland European clients, despite a sluggish start due to weather-related disruptions. Key markets like Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands were popular in 2024, with a rising interest from Central and Eastern Europe.
The bluetongue outbreak in Europe actually turned into an opportunity for older Irish cattle in established European markets. Plus, some political hiccups meant increased demand for Irish weanling and store cattle in international markets.
Morocco and North Africa enjoyed a boost in trade in 2024, and a sturdy trade with Northern Ireland, helped by tight cattle supplies in both Northern Ireland and Great Britain, continued. The growing price gap between Irish and UK deadweight cattle prices added to the stability of this trade.
Looking ahead, there are some challenges on the horizon for Irish calf and cattle exports. For instance, the Dutch market will be off-limits to Irish calves after 2025 due to the implementation of the Dutch ‘Veal Forward Plan’. Moreover, changes to EU Transport legislation around journey times and other factors may impact the long-term future of the unweaned calf trade.
