Irish beef prices for heifers are currently the fourth highest in the EU.

Prices paid on R3 heifers over May averaged €4.05/kg which was 28c/kg ahead of the EU average price of €3.77/kg.

According to analysis conducted by the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) in Northern Ireland (NI), Sweden is currently the highest-paying EU state for beef on an average of €4.91/kg, followed by Greece on €4.60/kg. Britain is in third position on €4.06/kg for R3 heifers.

The same animal in NI is back in sixth position on €3.94/kg. France is in eighth place on €3.85/kg.

Italy and Spain are important export markets for Irish cattle and come in seventh and ninth positions respectively with an average price of €3.86/kg and €3.75/kg.