The Irish live export trade is set for a massive boost, with Israel likely to import its first load of Irish weanlings in the coming weeks.

The news comes as we see a surge in demand for cattle from Middle Eastern countries.

Israel is in the market for good-quality continental 300kg to 400kg bull weanlings, Bord Bia’s Seamus McMenamin said.

“They will be an important addition for the autumn weanling trade. There may also be opportunities for dairy-bred cattle, with strong numbers imported from Romania,” he said.

The Irish Farmers Journal understands a number of Irish exporters are already gearing up for the lucrative market. Israel imported over 200,000 head in 2021.

Visit

Israeli cattle buyers visited a number of cattle export yards, quarantine facilities and ports in Ireland during a visit earlier this year.

Bord Bia is also visiting a number of potential customers for live cattle in Morocco this week.

Live exports have been performing very strongly and are up 11% for the first four months of 2022, with an extra 16,000 head of cattle exported.

The Netherlands has been the main driver of the increase, with an extra 40,000 calves exported so far this year.

Live exports to Libya are up 47% for the first four months of 2022 with over 7,000 bulls exported so far, while 4,000 cattle have also been exported to Jordan.