Thomas Lyons 
Irish Calves Gain Popularity in Poland and Italy
Irish calf exports to Poland and Italy have seen a significant increase this year, with overall cattle exports to the regions up by 311% and 46% respectively. While the Netherlands and Spain remain the largest buyers of Irish calves, the highest percentage growth in cattle exports has been seen in Poland and Italy.
According to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), just under 141,000 calves had been exported from Ireland by the end of April. This figure represents a 14% increase on last year and a 40% increase on the same time period in 2021.
The Netherlands and Spain still account for the majority of Irish calf exports, but the most substantial growth in calf export numbers has been seen in the Italian and Polish markets. The table below shows the main Irish calf export destinations in the first 17 weeks of 2021, 2022, and 2023:
| Destination | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| — | — | — | — |
| Netherlands | 36,984 | 75,783 | 78,682 |
| Spain | 45,632 | 36,537 | 36,212 |
| Italy | 12,298 | 7,472 | 13,211 |
| Poland | 958 | 1,821 | 7,314 |
| Northern Ireland | 7,237 | 3,062 | 4,169 |
| Romania | 0 | 0 | 1,090 |
| Belgium | 1,584 | 572 | 292 |
| France | 2,388 | 0 | 0 |
As the table shows, the Netherlands and Spain remain the two largest markets for Irish calves, but the most substantial growth in calf export numbers has been seen in the Italian and Polish markets.
Of the 40,000 Irish cattle exported to Spain this year, approximately 36,000 were calves, with 1,300 weanlings and the remainder being store cattle. Virtually all of the Irish cattle exported to the Netherlands to date this year were calves.
The table below shows the overall Irish cattle export destinations in the first 17 weeks of 2021, 2022, and 2023:
| Destination | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022/23 |
| — | — | — | — | — |
| Netherlands | 34,817 | 75,287 | 78,901 | +5% |
| Spain | 46,857 | 39,833 | 40,054 | +1% |
| Italy | 14,868 | 11,906 | 17,380 | +46% |
| Northern Ireland | 30,118 | 16,410 | 15,837 | -3% |
| Poland | 958 | 1,822 | 7,495 | +311% |
| Bulgaria | 118 | – | 2,404 | – |
| Turkey | – | – | 1,998 | – |
| Hungary | – | – | 1,501 | – |
| Romania | – | – | 1,090 | – |
| Great Britain | 1,096 | 1,242 | 1,084 | -13% |
| Slovakia | – | – | 968 | – |
| Greece | 746 | 791 | 578 | -27% |
| Belgium | 1,584 | 572 | 292 | -49% |
| Other | 8,028 | 9,153 | 647 | -93% |
| Total | 139,190 | 157,016 | 170,229 | +8% |
The table shows that new markets are responsible for the increases in weanling export numbers from Ireland to date this year. Bulgaria, Hungary, and Turkey are the main drivers in the rise in Irish weanling exports. These countries are primarily interested in plainer-type Irish weanlings. Destinations associated with the top-end Irish weanlings, such as Italy and Greece, have noted a decrease in exports, while Spain has remained virtually on par with the same time period last year.
The table below gives an overview of Irish cattle exports by type in the first 17 weeks of 2021, 2022, and 2023:
| Type | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2021/23 | 2022/23 |
| — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Calves | 100,984 | 123,821 | 140,980 | +40% | +14% |
| Weanlings | 8,075 | 8,780 | 11,471 | +42% | +31% |
| Stores | 12,349 | 10,762 | 6,671 | -46% | -38% |
| Adult Cattle | 17,782 | 13,653 | 11,107 | -38% | -19% |
| Total | 139,190 | 157,016 | 170,229 | +22% | +8% |
For the purpose of the above table, calves are classified as 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 and older. The overall growth of 8% in cattle exports from Ireland to date this year is being driven by increased calf and weanling exports.
In conclusion, Irish calf exports to Poland and Italy have seen a substantial increase this year, with overall cattle exports to the regions up by 311% and 46% respectively. While the Netherlands and Spain remain the largest buyers of Irish calves, the highest percentage growth in cattle exports has been seen in Poland and Italy. The rise in cattle exports has been predominantly driven by calf sales to these two countries, with new markets responsible for the increases in weanling export numbers from Ireland to date this year.
