Live cattle exports for the first six months of this year have increased by 30 per cent, according to figures released by An Bord Bia, the Irish food board, at the weekend.
Exports for the six months came to 255,000 head, an increase of 58,000 animals on the same period of 1999, according to a report in the organisation's Market Monitor.
It said that the strong performance was boosted by an increase of 50,000 head to continental Europe, which amounted to 200,000 head in the period reviewed. The report also added that the strength of sterling and a tightening of domestic cattle supplies have both contributed to strong levels of live exports to Northern Ireland.
On a year to date basis, 15,000 head have been exported to Northern Ireland, which is an increase of 10,000 on the same period in 1999.
The report revealed that exports of cattle to Lebanon were running at similar levels to last year, with 41,000 cattle shipped there in the January to June 2000 period.
Spain remains the main destination for live cattle exports up to the end of June, at just over 106,000 head - up 18,000 head on the first half of 1999, the reports states.
Live exports to the Netherlands were more than double the same period in 1999 and stood at 47,000 head, while shipments to Italy increased by 9,000 head, reaching a total of 34,000 head.
Cattle exports to France increased strongly up to the end of June and stood at 11,000 head compared to 5,000 head in the same period last year.
"There has been a major growth in the live export of calves this year, with 116,000 head exported up until the end of June. This is an increase of 47,000 or 68 per cent over the same period last year," the report said.
Spain and Holland have been the two main destinations for Irish calves, according to the report, taking 52,000 and 47,000 respectively, while 11,000 calves have been sent to France and 6,000 to Italy.
"This increase in calf exports has led to a strong calf trade in Ireland this year and has significantly boosted calf prices for both dairy and beef type calves," it said.