Calf exports for the first four months of the year have exceeded the 100,000 head mark following another strong week of exports. The latest figures for the week ending 30 April 2018 show 8,071 calves moving to six destinations, with demand in Spain and Netherlands underpinning the strong performance.

This leaves exports running 22,178hd above the corresponding period in 2017 with exporters reporting a positive forecast for the weeks ahead.

Spain has been the top performer and demand there is driven by Spanish feeders buoyed by continued strong live exports to North African markets and a recovery in domestic beef prices and consumption over the last year.

The number of calves exported to Spain in the week ending 30 April increased by 214hd to 3,586hd, with year-to-date exports running 9,352hd above 2017 levels at 38,382.

Demand is being aided by Spanish feeders importing a mixture of Friesian bulls and Angus heifers and bulls. Exporters also have a more competitive edge in the Irish market with lower weather-related demand from Irish farmers and a realisation in the prices that can be paid for calves to return a margin.

Live exports to the Netherlands are on a par to 2017 levels as shown in Table 1. Exports are running close to twice 2017 weekly volumes for the last two weeks with the trade to Belgium and France also recording a sharp jump in exports. There have been 11,405 calves exported to France so far this year, 6,118hd above the first four months in 2017 while exports to France are running at 6,581hd after a dip in exports in 2017.