Between the beginning of the year and mid-April, Ireland exported more than 113,000 dairy calves to the European Union.

The main importers of Irish dairy calves are traditionally Spain and the Netherlands, showing even a slight increase in purchases: the number of calves exported to Spain is 34,261 heads compared to 31,454 heads in 2018 (an increase of 2,807 heads); the number of calves sent to the Netherlands in 2019 is 57,927 heads, which is a huge leap of more than 25,000 heads compared to 32,890 heads in the corresponding period of 2018.

Italy imported 9,375 calves, which is 5671 more than in 2018. The French market showed a decline. The total number of calves exported to France this year is 3,758 heads - a decrease of 1,383 heads.

Import of calves to Belgium is also marked by decline. Northern Ireland sold 558 calves (up from 586 in 2018).

The new market for Irish dairy calves is the Polish market. Until mid-April, 3,516 calves were exported to this European country.

As for cattle, from the beginning of the year until April 14, Ireland sold 133,109 animals.