Recent pressure on beef prices continues with many sellers facing 5c/kg lower quotes as a starting point in negotiations. Some plants are offering a base of €3.85/kg for steers and €3.95/kg for heifers, with quotes generally lowest in the south and east where supplies are strongest.

There are still plenty of sellers resisting these lower quotes at the start of the week and commanding a base of €3.90/kg and €4.00/kg with the higher quote for heifers slightly easier to negotiate.

Cow prices

While cows resisted downward price pressure in recent weeks, they have now come under pressure with factories trying to reduce prices by 10c/kg. This leaves quotes for P+3 grading cows ranging in the main from €3.20/kg to €3.25/kg with O grades from €3.30/kg to €3.35/kg.

R grades are selling from €3.45/kg to €3.50/kg with U grades quotes to a top of €3.60/kg in cow specialist plants. Regular sellers are having more success in securing 5c/kg to 10c/kg higher prices and this is reflected in the mart trade holding relatively strong.

Bull prices

Bull prices have fallen below €4.00/kg with R grades quoted in most plants at €3.90/kg and U grades at €4.00/kg. Some deals have been completed at a flat price of €4.00/kg for mixed R and U grade loads comprising mainly U grading bulls. Bulls less than 16 months and selling on the grid are being offered a base of €3.90/kg although some plants are trying to ease this back to €3.85/kg.

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