The beef trade remains under significant price pressure. Numbers coming on stream are reported as tightening slightly in some parts of the midlands and west but this is being compensated for by strong throughput in the east and southeast.
Monday’s throughput was also disrupted due to protests in some plants by the Beef Plan Movement.
Steers are trading in the main from a base of €3.50/kg, although a number of plants have reduced their base quote this week to €3.45/kg.
The majority of heifers are trading on a base of €3.55/kg with small numbers moving at the top end of the market for 5c/kg higher.
Young bulls
There is no change in the young bull and cow trade. Bulls less than 16 months continue to face a difficult trading environment and a base quote ranging from €3.40/kg to €3.50/kg.
Carcase specification is having a big bearing on price with many plants paying a flat price once bulls exceed 400kg carcase weight.
Some producers are negotiating allowances on between 420kg and 430kg, depending on the producer-processor relationship but after this there is no real grace. Bulls trading off the grid are selling from €3.45/kg to €3.50/kg for R grades and from €3.50/kg to €3.55/kg for U grades, with some price marginally higher by way of producer premiums.
Cows remain in demand but all sectors of the trade are putting pressure on prices paid. P+3 grading cows are quoted as low as €2.70/kg but 10c/kg to 15c/kg higher has been paid.
O grading Friesian cows are trading from €2.90/kg to €2.95/kg, with heavy carcase O+ grading cows selling to €3.05/kg at the top of the market.
R grades range from €3.05/kg to €3.20/kg with competition said to be stronger in marts as numbers on offer reduce.
Northern trade
There is more life in the trade in Northern Ireland with numbers tighter. The general U-3 base quote for steers and heifers remains at a range of £3.22/kg to £3.28/kg with more sellers securing the higher prices and pushing returns to £3.30/kg where trading at the top end of the market.
Monday evening’s exchange rate is trending in the wrong direction for Irish exports and stands at 91.1p to the euro. This leaves returns of £3.26/kg to £3.30/kg equating to €3.58/kg to €3.62/kg and €3.77/kg to €3.82/kg including VAT at 5.4%.
The extra life in the market is also said to be opening up the opportunity for cattle to be exported north again.
Read more
Cut to beef herd may be necessary - Creed
Disrupting normal processing will not help beef price – factories
Watch: Beef Plan Movement members protest at Kepak Kilbeggan
The beef trade remains under significant price pressure. Numbers coming on stream are reported as tightening slightly in some parts of the midlands and west but this is being compensated for by strong throughput in the east and southeast.
Monday’s throughput was also disrupted due to protests in some plants by the Beef Plan Movement.
Steers are trading in the main from a base of €3.50/kg, although a number of plants have reduced their base quote this week to €3.45/kg.
The majority of heifers are trading on a base of €3.55/kg with small numbers moving at the top end of the market for 5c/kg higher.
Young bulls
There is no change in the young bull and cow trade. Bulls less than 16 months continue to face a difficult trading environment and a base quote ranging from €3.40/kg to €3.50/kg.
Carcase specification is having a big bearing on price with many plants paying a flat price once bulls exceed 400kg carcase weight.
Some producers are negotiating allowances on between 420kg and 430kg, depending on the producer-processor relationship but after this there is no real grace. Bulls trading off the grid are selling from €3.45/kg to €3.50/kg for R grades and from €3.50/kg to €3.55/kg for U grades, with some price marginally higher by way of producer premiums.
Cows remain in demand but all sectors of the trade are putting pressure on prices paid. P+3 grading cows are quoted as low as €2.70/kg but 10c/kg to 15c/kg higher has been paid.
O grading Friesian cows are trading from €2.90/kg to €2.95/kg, with heavy carcase O+ grading cows selling to €3.05/kg at the top of the market.
R grades range from €3.05/kg to €3.20/kg with competition said to be stronger in marts as numbers on offer reduce.
Northern trade
There is more life in the trade in Northern Ireland with numbers tighter. The general U-3 base quote for steers and heifers remains at a range of £3.22/kg to £3.28/kg with more sellers securing the higher prices and pushing returns to £3.30/kg where trading at the top end of the market.
Monday evening’s exchange rate is trending in the wrong direction for Irish exports and stands at 91.1p to the euro. This leaves returns of £3.26/kg to £3.30/kg equating to €3.58/kg to €3.62/kg and €3.77/kg to €3.82/kg including VAT at 5.4%.
The extra life in the market is also said to be opening up the opportunity for cattle to be exported north again.
Read more
Cut to beef herd may be necessary - Creed
Disrupting normal processing will not help beef price – factories
Watch: Beef Plan Movement members protest at Kepak Kilbeggan
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