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Prices for cattle are going up the IFA has said. With cattle supplies tightening, the base price for both steers and heifers is rising.
National livestock chair Angus Woods said factories are prepared to do deals, which include payment for transport and other bonuses.
On steers, he said €4.00/g to €4.05/kg is common and €4.07/kg and €4.08 has been paid. On heifers, he said €4.15/kg is now the common base and prices of €4.20/kg have been paid.
He said prices for young bulls have also increased, with U grades making €4.15/kg to €4.20/kg and R grades on €4.00/kg to €4.05/kg. He said cows are making from €3.25/kg to €3.70/kg.
Strong demand
Market demand has picked up and exports to all the main markets in continental Europe are stronger for the first quarter of this year.
Woods added that international exports are up 60%, with Hong Kong, the US, Switzerland and the Philippines doing well.
There is strong demand for steak cuts and reports of prices up by €1/kg compared with this time last year.
On the live export trade, the livestock chair called for a diplomatic initiative at the highest level to conclude the negotiations on the opening of the live export trade to Turkey, urging for there to be no further delays in re-opening this important market.
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