A boatload of 2,400 young bulls left Waterford for Libya on Tuesday. This was the first shipment from Ireland to a third country since early May and it signals a resumption of the trade after a lull.

Viastar has bulls purchased and in quarantine and these will be shipped to Turkey before the end of the month.

After that, further boats to Libya are likely. Another exporter is trying to close a deal for four boatloads to be sent by year end.

All the major exporters are active at mart sales this week and buying up to half of the young bulls in sales. This is giving a vital lift to the trade.

Exporters are active for a variety of market types, and as a result are sourcing a variety of weanling types.

In the main, they are sourcing continental bulls from 250kg to 350kg. Mart managers have said that they are sourcing bulls from €650 right up to €850/head.

In addition, some exporters are sourcing light Friesian bulls under 300kg with prices reported to be between €1.30/kg and €1.50/kg liveweight.

This week’s boatload was exported by Purcell Brothers. Four hundred head were continental bulls weighing up to 600kg with the remainder lighter Friesians.

Demand in Libya is mainly for Friesian types. Purcell Brothers, too, are hopeful of getting repeat orders in coming weeks.

This load brings the total exported from Ireland to Libya this year to over 6,500 head. The total for 2018 was 5,106.

Exporters say that prices for suitable stock here are a little lower than last year, which makes signing orders easier, while stock are weighing heavier than last year, which is helping farmers.