Maxwell Livestock has loaded a consignment of 1,900 heavy bulls for export to Morocco.
The cattle were loaded aboard the livestock vessel Alondra at Foynes Port on Thursday 23 July, with the vessel due to set sail for Morocco that afternoon.
The shipment consists of mainly Limousin, Charolais and Belgian Blue bulls.
The vessel is expected to arrive in Morrocco at 2am on Tuesday 28 July.
Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal following the loading, Derek Maxwell said the operation had gone smoothly.
“We’re very happy with how the bulls loaded. It was a very streamlined process and I’d like to thank everybody involved, including the staff at Foynes Port.”
Positive outlook
Maxwell said the outlook for live exports remained positive, with demand continuing from north African buyers.
“Our north African customers are very happy with the stock they have received so far in 2026. We are aiming to have another boatload of weanlings for north Africa within the next three months.”
Looking ahead to busy autumn weanling sales, Maxwell stressed the importance of vaccinating cattle ahead of sales.
“Coming into the busy autumn weanling sales, it is imperative that farmers vaccinate their weanlings ahead of sales. The health of weanlings is very important,” he concluded.
The shipment comes as the value of Irish live animal exports continue to rise. Bord Bia estimates that they were worth approximately €480m in 2025, an increase of 40% on the previous year.
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