There is major potential to grow live exports to Turkey, IFA national livestock chair Angus Woods has said.

More than 8,920 animals have been exported internationally in 2018, with the majority going to Turkey.

There is hope that exports will continue to build on this 25% jump in the second half of the year, with scope for movement into North African markets such as Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria, with small amounts of trade currently happening in Morocco and Libya, Woods said.

The majority of the exports were made up of 128,700 calves and 25,950 adult animals. A recent visit to Tunisia by Bord Bia will see live exports resume for the first time since 2015.

Quality weanlings

There is also demand for quality weanlings between six and 12 months of age from Ireland.

The IFA and Bord Bia visited the Turkish market last year, with Woods pointing to the clear potential of the market to grow live exports to Turkey.

Woods said exporters have begun to assemble stock under the necessary quarantine arrangements for export to Turkey.

The market developments have cleared the way for private business on live exports, which will impact positively for the remainder of the year.

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