The EU is exporting fewer live cattle and sheep this year
Published Jun 23, 2020
Tridge summary
According to a new short-term forecast issued by the European Commission, total EU-27 livestock exports are expected to reach 333,000 tonnes in 2020. This would mean a decrease of almost 5% compared to last year and more than 7% below the 2018 level. Of this total, 223,000 tonnes of live cattle are transported, which is expected to decrease by 5% compared to 2019.
Original content
Exports of live sheep, like cattle, are expected to fall by 5% to 59,000 tonnes, in the opposite direction to the increase recorded last year. In addition to the decrease in cattle and sheep exports in the total livestock export balance, the volumes of live pig and poultry exports will also decrease. The Commission's report notes that last year's decline in EU livestock exports was driven by lower demand in Turkey. The EU has also diverted significant exports to Algeria, which favors live animal imports over meat imports. Further declines are projected in 2020 due to lower demand in Turkey, price competition in Brazil and Uruguay, and declining demand in Algeria and Libya due to low oil prices. Although COVID-19 does not yet affect EU livestock exports, the Commission considers that potential transport disruptions (eg lack of lorry drivers) could be an additional risk factor. EU exports of ...
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