Jan van Drie, managing director of the EU’s biggest veal producer, VanDrie Group, told the Irish Farmers Journal that he liked the quality and health of Irish calves but that Irish calf prices were currently too high compared with those on the continent. There is a plentiful supply of calves at present in the Netherlands and Germany, he said.

The Dutch-based firm finishes some 1.4m calves per year and exports veal to over 60 countries. Many of the Irish dairy calves exported each year go for finishing by the firm. WCC and Buitelaar Group are regular suppliers.

In addition to Holland, Van Drie has slaughter operations in France and Belgium and these source calves locally. The group also buys calves for third-party slaughterhouses.

Veal is sold to supermarket chains, wholesalers, caterers and other meat processors. The company operates to high standards of welfare and traceability. For example, veal produced under its premium range, named Peter’s Farm, is traceable by customers back to the farm of origin on a smartphone app.

Van Drie is Holland’s largest private agri food firm, with 1,800 employees and turnover of around €2bn. By way of comparison, the ABP Group has global turnover of about €2.7bn.

Exporters gear up for more calves

Dutch finisher Van Drie: Irish calf prices ‘too high’

Van Drie finishes a large number of the Irish dairy calves that are exported each year.