Two specialist livestock boats will arrive into the Port of Cork at the weekend to load with cattle for Libya.

A mix of Friesian bulls, beef bulls and in-calf breeding heifers are being exported by Co Cork-based Curzon Livestock. Between them the two boats will carry over 3,000 head.

This is the largest single consignment exported from Ireland in recent years. Demand for imported meat and livestock is high across the Middle East. Interest in Libya is mainly for slaughter-weight bulls.

Friesian bulls

The Friesian bulls to be loaded in Cork are mainly in the range of 400kg to 500kg and the beef bulls 500kg to 600kg.

Curzon hopes to make further deliveries to Libya through 2018.