Turkey halts new orders for live cattle

Turkish authorities have decided to stop issuing new permits for imports of live feeder weight cattle, according to reports in the trade.

This will be unwelcome news for Irish exporters seeking to negotiate new orders.

However, although few other details are available, it is likely that permits already issued by authorities will continue to be filled as normal.

The Turkish authorities control the issuing of new import permits to balance prices

It is possible that Irish exporters may supply part of any such contract, as they have done previously.

The main brake on exports of Irish cattle to Turkey will continue to be availability of finance and letters of credit for Turkish importers, and the lower price of cattle from countries across South America.

The Turkish authorities control the issuing of new import permits to balance prices. If prices for finished cattle fall, they tend to restrict live imports.

The authorities last restricted new permits in early January

However, if retail beef prices rise too high, the authorities come under intense pressure to increase supply by allowing in more feeder bulls, slaughter weight bulls or even more beef.

The authorities last restricted new permits in early January.

However, large numbers of cattle continued to be imported through 2019 on existing permits, particularly from countries in South America.

For Irish exporters, the latest development will further complicate the logistics of filling an order for cattle to Turkey, as they’re already dealing with a quarantine period.

Turkey trade

Exports of young Irish bulls to Turkey to date in 2019 are 5,715 head, with another boat loaded in recent days.

Exports totalled 12,863 in 2018, 31,188 head in 2017 and 19,234 in 2016, when the market opened for Irish cattle.

IFA livestock chair Angus Woods said suspension of licences was not unusual in Turkey and exporters continue to buy for existing contracts and licences.

He added that a number of boats are scheduled for export of bulls to Libya before Christmas, which should help the trade.