Turkey to be a key live outlet?

HOPES are growing that a live cattle export link to Turkey could be established over the coming months, opening up one of the biggest markets in that region.

Turkey, with a population of around 75 million people, are one of the worlds big importers of live cattle and around the turn of the year a veterinary team from that country visited Ireland.

Last year, Turkey imported 380,000 head of cattle – mainly from South America and France – and this year they plan to increase that figure to 500,000.

Galway IFA Livestock Chairman, Michael Flynn, told the Farming Tribune that the opening of the Turkish market would mark a huge breakthrough in terms of Irish live exports.

“Turkey is a huge market opportunity for Ireland. We have the quality product to supply them and we badly need more competition in the market to tackle the dominant position of the meat plants,” said Michael Flynn.

IFA National Livestock Chairman Henry Burns said that Turkey was a high-priced beef market and capable of being a substantial and competitive buyer of Irish livestock.

“Turkish importers have indicated to IFA that they forecast that the market will import up to 500,000 head of live cattle in 2016.  With Bluetongue problems in France, they are looking to Ireland as a major EU supplier.

“Considering the increase in cattle supplies forecasted for the second half of 2016, it is vitally important that the live export trade is prioritised at the highest levels and all possible markets are opened and pursued to the maximum,” said Henry Burns.

He said that senior veterinary officials from Turkey who had visited Ireland around last Christmas were very satisfied with Irish livestock, conditions and controls.

Henry Burns said the most 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.

To date this year Irish live exports are up 34% or 6,062 head on last year at 23,926 head. Exports of calves to Holland and Spain had been strong while exports to Italy and Northern Ireland have also been rising.