IFA Welcomes Opening Of Live Export Trade To Turkey

IFA President Joe Healy has welcomed the Minister for Agriculture’s confirmation today that the live export trade to Turkey has opened.

 

He said this is a very positive development for the Irish livestock sector and will add much-needed competition to the trade for weanlings and younger stock.

 

Joe Healy said Turkey is a real opportunity for Irish live cattle and imported a total of 380,000 head in 2015, the majority from South America and up to 120,000 head from France. “Turkey is a high volume live cattle destination, capable of paying very good prices.”

 

IFA has been pushing to get the live trade to Turkey open since last year and following several visits by Turkish and Irish delegations, the trade is finally set to open.

 

Joe Healy said the immediate requirement in Turkey would be for younger stock, mainly bull weanlings up to 12 months of age and up to 300kgs from the suckler herd.

 

At 84,000, Irish live exports are back 26,000 head year to date. Ireland exported a total of 178,000 head in 2015.