The Turkish government has this week opened a tender for delivery of 100,000 slaughter weight bulls.

The tender is open to exporting companies in all countries approved to supply cattle to Turkey. This includes Ireland and the bigger Irish exporters will all consider bidding for portions of the tender.

However they have just days to apply - the deadline is next Monday, 19 February.

Strong demand

Deliveries are to take place in the period mid-April to mid-October. The very short timeframe is an indication of the strong demand in Turkey at present for meat and livestock.

The bulls must be aged between 12 and 24 months and weigh over 450kg liveweight.

Eligible breeds

The eligible breeds include Charolais, Limousin, Angus, Hereford, Belgian Blue, Blonde d’Aquitaine, Salers, Aubrac, Brangus and combined breeds such as Simmental, Brown Swiss, Montbeliard and crosses of these breeds.

Exporters must put up a bid bond equal to 3% of their tender offer.

The latest development comes a week after Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed and Bord Bia trade experts were told, in Izmir, that private Turkish importers would be allowed import feeder cattle from next May.

That development is expected to lead to further enquiries from Turkey for Irish cattle.

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