Calf export numbers have surpassed 200,000 head to date this year, which is an increase of over 25,000 head or 14% on the same time last year.

As of Saturday, June 7, a total of just over 266,000 cattle had been exported this year, which is an increase of almost 17% or over 38,000 head on the same time period of last year.

While calves account for the largest volume of calf exports, the largest percentage increase this year has been seen in weanling exports, with numbers up by almost 60% to over 23,000 head.

The table below details cattle exports by type as of June 7 this year compared to the same time period last year:

For the purpose of the table above, calves are classified as all cattle under six-weeks-of-age; weanlings are all cattle from six-weeks-of-age to six-months-of-age; store cattle are all cattle from six-months-of-age to 24-months-of-age; and adult cattle are all cattle from 24-months-of-age upwards.

As regards cattle exports, the major talking point this year has been the impact of the export trade on calf prices with a significant surge in calf prices to record highs after a number of more challenging years for the trade.

Looking at Irish cattle exports by destination, export numbers to Spain have surpassed 89,000 head - up 29% or over 19,000 head on last year.

Cattle exports to The Netherlands to date have surpassed 79,000 head - up by almost 6% or over 4,400 head on last year.

These two countries are the largest export market destinations for Irish calves.

Of note also is Irish cattle exports to Poland, which have doubled from 12,000 head last year to over 24,000 head this year.

Over 29,000 Irish cattle have been exported to Northern Ireland this year - up 6,200 head from last year.