After a very slow start, exports of Irish beef to the US have been picking up in recent weeks, with 1,300t of Irish beef worth an estimated €8.5m exported by the end of last week.

Six Irish beef plants are now approved to export beef cuts to the US – ABP Clones, Dawn Charleville, Foyle Donegal, Kepak Kilbeggan & Longford and Slaney Foods.

Range of cuts

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Extra companies coming on board and a widening of the range of cuts supplied beyond high-value steak cuts are driving this trade.

After several months of sharp decline, US cattle prices have rebounded in recent weeks and at the end of October were trading at roughly the equivalent of 30c/kg ahead of Irish prices.

This puts Ireland in a competitive position to supply the US across a range of cuts.

Getting access for the lucrative manufacturing beef remains a work in progress, with Irish and US authorities working to agree testing and certification procedures. Despite intensive efforts, it is understood agreement of protocols remains some way off.