Buoyant Irish beef prices have impacted exports of older cattle compared to 2024 levels, according to recent Bord Bia data.

Overall exports to the end of October stood at 331,835 head, back 1% compared to last year. These may have been lower, but for strong demand from EU buyers for Irish calves.

They are the only category to outperform last year, with 223,037 exported to date, a rise of 13%.

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The upward trajectory of beef prices in October resulted in store cattle exports falling 24% behind 2024 levels with 32,814 head leaving the country so far this year.

Adult cattle exports fell by 22% to 35,050 head, while weanlings didn’t escape the drop either. They are back 14%, with 40,904 head leaving the country to date.

Seamus McMenamin, sector manager for sheepmeat and livestock at Bord Bia said: “Irish beef prices are ahead of Europe at the moment and this has impacted competitiveness of late. “We’re seeing that over the last month but trade with Northern Ireland has improved due to a tightening of supply there.”

He added that as France and Germany continue to face production challenges due to bluetongue and longer-term contractions in domestic cattle herds, French processors are reportedly offering forward prices to retain calves and weanlings to try and limit live exports.

This has benefitted Ireland as Irish cattle filled the gaps left by reduced French exports to Spain. Spanish buyers purchased 111,019 head so far this year, making it the largest destination for Irish cattle in 2025.

Adding a word of caution on what to expect for 2026, McMenamin noted: “There are indications of stabilisation of cattle availability on the continent as producers there are getting a handle on bluetongue and there are signals of improved availability of young stock as a result.”