Fodder traders on the continent are looking to source Irish hay as the sweltering temperatures across mainland Europe have burned up local supplies.
“I’ve had buyers in France, Holland and Switzerland call me over the last few weeks looking to buy hay in Britain or Ireland,” said well-known hay and straw trader John Fearon.
Fearon, who is based on the Louth-Armagh border and also in Cheshire, said he got a call this week from a Swiss buyer who was looking to back-fill three trucks in September.
Price will dictate whether hay exports to Europe are feasible or not, Fearon maintained.
Hay for the drought-hit south of England was currently being sourced in the north of England and Scotland.
However, Fearon predicted that there will be demand for Irish hay in England later this year, as farmers are currently feeding silage stocks harvested earlier this summer.
Hay prices generally range from €35 to €40 for round bales (4x4).
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