January 10, 2011

Ireland opens up beef exports to Turkey

A move to introduce Irish beef exports to the Turkish market should help Ireland's efforts to press forward cattle prices.

Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) President, John Bryan, said access to the high-priced Turkish market has already had a major impact on the beef market across Europe, with an increase in German cattle prices of GBP200 (US$310) per head.

He said Bord Bia and industry sources have indicated that Turkey could handle imports of 150,000 tonnes annually and become a major destination for European beef in the future.

Recent figures from the Turkish Ministry for Agriculture show that 80,000 tonnes of carcase beef have been imported in the last 12 months.

The surge in Turkish beef imports follows a decision by the Government last Autumn to reduce customs tax from 225% to 30%.