Live exports have halved in the first two months of 2026 compared to 2025 numbers. There were 48,694 head of cattle exported for the first two months of 2025 compared to 22,641 head in the first two months of 2026.
A combination of poor weather disrupting sailings and Ireland’s bluetongue outbreak have led to lower numbers being exported over the past eight weeks.
Live exports to Northern Ireland are back 63% or 6,200 head on the same period in 2025.
Exports to Spain have also seen a huge drop-off in numbers. Just 8,568 cattle were exported to Spain in January and February 2026, down 8,458 head on the 2025 figure.
Italy has also seen a drop, with 2,165 fewer cattle exported to Italy so far in 2026.
Almost 3,000 calves have been exported to the Netherlands in 2026, down from 4,500 calves for the same period in 2025.
The live export update comes as Viastar gets ready to load 5,500 weanlings onto the MV Saleh, one of the largest livestock carriers ever to dock in an Irish port in recent times.
The shipment was due to depart for the Middle East earlier this year but was delayed due to Ireland’s bluetongue outbreak.
Live exports have halved in the first two months of 2026 compared to 2025 numbers. There were 48,694 head of cattle exported for the first two months of 2025 compared to 22,641 head in the first two months of 2026.
A combination of poor weather disrupting sailings and Ireland’s bluetongue outbreak have led to lower numbers being exported over the past eight weeks.
Live exports to Northern Ireland are back 63% or 6,200 head on the same period in 2025.
Exports to Spain have also seen a huge drop-off in numbers. Just 8,568 cattle were exported to Spain in January and February 2026, down 8,458 head on the 2025 figure.
Italy has also seen a drop, with 2,165 fewer cattle exported to Italy so far in 2026.
Almost 3,000 calves have been exported to the Netherlands in 2026, down from 4,500 calves for the same period in 2025.
The live export update comes as Viastar gets ready to load 5,500 weanlings onto the MV Saleh, one of the largest livestock carriers ever to dock in an Irish port in recent times.
The shipment was due to depart for the Middle East earlier this year but was delayed due to Ireland’s bluetongue outbreak.
SHARING OPTIONS