Latest figures from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) show cattle exports have reached near 200,000 in the first four months of 2025.

As of Sunday, April 27, over 193,000 (193,383) cattle were exported from Ireland this year and, with over 14,000 calves exported in week 15 of this year, it can be assumed that total cattle exports were closer to the 200,000 head mark by Wednesday, April 30.

The figure for Sunday, April 27, is up 23% from the 157,854 head of cattle exported in the same time period of last year.

The table below details cattle exports by type in the first 17 weeks of 2023, 2024, and 2025:

Calves account for the largest number of overall exports at 142,332 head, leaving calf exports to date this year running 17% ahead of 2024 levels.

The highest percentage increase has been seen in weanling exports with numbers up 76% to over 18,300 head from 10,400 head last year.

Store and adult cattle exports are up by 17% and 33% on last year respectively, with 12,100 store cattle and 20,600 adult cattle exported to date this 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.

Total cattle exports to Northern Ireland reached 24,100 head in the first 17 weeks of this year, up 44% on the 16,800 cattle that were exported to the region last year.

The table below details calf exports by destination country for the first 17 weeks of 2023, 2024, and 2025:

The Netherlands remains the largest market destination for Irish calves and are above last year's figures despite projections Irish calf exports to the country would decline this year.

Hoever, the Dutch Veal Forward plan is expected to have a significant impact on Irish calf export numbers to the region from January 2026.

Spain is the second-largest market destination for Irish calves this year, with over 49,000 calves sold to the country to date.