Imports of cattle from the Republic of Ireland for direct slaughter at meat plants in NI are running at their highest level since 2016.

For the year to date (week ending 14 March), 3,265 Irish cattle have been imported and processed at NI plants, a 27% increase on the 2,561 imported over the same period in 2019. In the same period in 2018, just 776 cattle came north for slaughter, although in 2016 the import figure stood at 5,176.

Driving the higher import numbers in 2020 has been a general recovery in the value of sterling against the euro, as well as a depressed beef market south of the Irish border.

The majority of cattle moving north are destined for the food service sector and independent retail outlets, where country of origin labelling rules are less of an issue than in the major British supermarkets.

Driving the higher import numbers in 2020 has been a general recovery in the value of sterling against the euro

Movement of cattle in the opposite direction has halved in 2020, with 731 cattle moving south for slaughter this year compared to 1,565 for the same period last year.

In terms of exports of NI cattle to Britain, with local prices running close to those in England and Wales, just 38 have moved for the year to date, compared to 60 last year and 544 in 2018.

Imports of slaughter-fit cattle from Britain to NI stand at 886 for the year to date, down from 1,225 in 2019 and 1,767 in 2018.

Sheep

In total, 80,738 hoggets and cull ewes have moved to Irish slaughter plants for the year to date, down 5% on the 85,172 sheep exported over the same period last year.

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