New markets for live cattle and an increase in factory prices are on the way for beef farmers.
Exports of heavy bulls to Algeria are to start soon following the agreement of a new, more favourable, veterinary certificate.
In a meeting in Algiers, Irish and Algerian officials agreed the costly 21-day quarantine in Ireland will no longer be needed. This will make heavy Irish bulls competitive with bulls from France and Spain.
My technical experts will move quickly to oversee the changes to the health certificates for live exports so that they can be forwarded to our Algerian colleagues
At least one export firm is already seeking cattle. The Algerian market has taken up to 100,000 bulls per year and demand is for bulls weighing over 500kg.
Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed said: “My technical experts will move quickly to oversee the changes to the health certificates for live exports so that they can be forwarded to our Algerian colleagues for their imprimatur prior to the commencement of the revised trade conditions.”
Meanwhile, the huge loss of pig herds in China due to the spread of African Swine Fever is increasing competition in global beef markets.
Sow numbers have been cut by 21%. Globally, there will not be enough pigmeat available to meet Chinese demand and consumers there are already switching to beef and poultry.
In recent days, tighter supplies have seen factories here pay a base of up to €3.90/kg for steers and €4.00/kg for heifers. UK R grade steer prices have jumped to a high of €4.45/kg.
SHARING OPTIONS