With the exception of the Netherlands, a number of outlets for Irish cattle have experienced varying degrees of turbulence so far this year and this has contributed to a decline in cattle exports.

Cattle sales outside the State are running at 9% behind the levels of this time 12 months ago, according to data from Bord Bia.

Following the first 34 weeks trading of 2026, a total of 277,912 head were exported from the country. This is 27,256 behind the same time last year.

Much of this year-on-year difference can be attributed to restrictions placed on the Polish market, following the confirmation of bluetongue here earlier this year. A firm presence in the top five outlets for Irish calves and cattle in recent years, it was virtually shut off as an option for much of this year. At the same time in 2025, 27,442 head had gone there, compared to 2,032 this year, creating a shortfall of 25,410.

Increases of approximately 8,000 head to both the Netherlands and Croatia, along with growth of over 3,000 head to Algeria and Hungary have helped bridge that gap, to an extent.

Against that, beef markets in Spain have been more challenging this year, resulting in a decrease of 14,700 in the number of Irish calves and cattle sold there this year, compared to 2025.

Trade with Italy and Northern Ireland exceeds 31,000 head, with all classes of stock heading north across the border and Italian buyers going for a mix of calves and weanlings.

Store cattle exports have experienced a 19% lift on last year and currently stand at 27,827 head, while the market for adult cattle is down the same percentage. At 23,470 head, the number of adult cattle sold is back roughly 5,000 head compared to 2025.

Calf and weanling numbers are currently 2% and 1% behind last year and shippers have been extremely active at weanling sales, especially in recent weeks.

To date, 30,756 have left the country with North Africa in particular becoming an important outlet for weanling bulls.

The number of Irish cattle bought by purchasers in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia presently stands at 9,451 head, almost 4,000 head above a year ago.