Live exports of cattle in 2015 are likely to finish in the region of 55,000 head lower than in 2014.

Table 1 contains a breakdown of the main categories of stock up until the end of November. With exports operating at a very low level in recent weeks and minimum activity in the runup to Christmas, the gap is unlikely to close.

There were reductions across all categories in 2015. Calves started the year brightly but, with new IBR legislation introduced in Belgium severely limiting imports of calves, exports for the year have fallen from 21,669 to just 576 head. Exports to Spain also fell 14,920 head to 29,188, although a percentage of this fall is accounted for by fewer exports of weanlings and stores.

These two categories combined fell just shy of 30,000 head. There is some crossover in the description of exports as many class exports to Italy and north African countries as weanlings but they are classed as stores once they exceed 12 months of age.

Exports to Italy fell 5,699 head to 23,499, despite a recovery in exports for a period in September and October.

The absence of purchasing activity from Libya also hit exports of weanlings and stores hard, with total exports for the year to date falling from 14,583 to 433 cattle.

Other notable reductions were 7,983 fewer cattle exported to Britain, with exports close to halving at 8,762 head. Exports to Northern Ireland held their own, increasing 1,626 head to 51,800 cattle.