Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed has welcomed Roundwood Livestock Limited’s securing of a contract with the Algerian Government for 12,000 live bulls and steers.

“It is a big vote of confidence in the Irish cattle market by the Algerian Government and in the quality of Irish beef. I commend Dr Salman and his team at Roundwood for their efforts in developing this exciting market opportunity. Irish farmers will no doubt welcome another market opening up for Irish livestock at this critical time,” the minister said.

The exporter said that a boat is to depart Ireland for Algeria in mid-April, if a full consignment of 1,200 bullocks and bulls is obtained.

The business people involved also export from France and, in recent weeks, diverted a boat there to fill for Algeria. But they say they want to fill contracts with Algeria using Irish cattle as the operators now live in Ireland.

Emerald Isle Beef Producers is working to provide cattle to the exporter for a number of boatloads in the months ahead. It says that, at this week’s factory prices, there is a clear price advantage in going to the boat with bulls aged 16 to 24 months and heavier steers. That advantage would be up to 30c/kg on carcase weight in some cases, according to one of the five directors, Eamon Corley.

The producer organisation has also discussed payment arrangements with the export company and viewed the letter of credit it has from a UK bank for the order.

Cattle are to be weighed and cleared for export under Department of Agriculture supervision at a mart near the export port.

Payment will be made by electronic transfer to the farmer’s account once the cattle are loaded on to the boat.