Prime cattle prices in Britain are showing signs of strengthening with R4L animals making 390p/kg this week in Scotland. Prices in England are typically 375p/kg to 380p/kg.

At local plants, base quotes for U-3 grades are holding steady at 360p/kg to 362p/kg, although some in the trade are trying to talk prices down. Sources also suggest that they are under pressure from retailers who don’t want to put prices up to consumers. With margins squeezed, the other option is to cut prices paid to farmers.

But with a strong local mart trade for finished cattle and rising beef prices in Britain, beef finishers are in a strong position to resist any cuts to prices, especially as local plants are still running short of cattle.

That is forcing some processors to look to imports to maintain factory throughputs.

Over the past week, 313 cattle moved from south to north, while 140 came in from Britain. The bulk of these animals are cows to process as manufacturing beef.