Frustration is mounting about the lack of beef price increases in the Republic of Ireland, when market conditions across the water in Britain are steaming ahead.

The beef price differential between Ireland and Britain has widened again this week, with British beef markets improving by another 5c/kg. British beef prices are now running close to 60c/kg ahead of the same week in 2020.

Larger beef finishers in the UK are currently being quoted £4.10/kg to £4.15/kg (€5.09/kg to €5.15/kg including VAT) for in spec Aberdeen Angus bullocks. This same animal being slaughtered in Ireland is lagging over €300/head behind, with all bonuses paid.

A number of agents are reporting this week that some of the larger players are drawing more on their own feedlots for throughput

Supplies of finished cattle in Britain remain very tight with AHDB reporting that weekly kills are running 2,500 behind last year’s numbers.

Irish factories have been very slow to increase beef prices with bullock quotes hovering around €3.80/kg while heifer quotes are at €3.90/kg.

A number of agents are reporting this week that some of the larger players are drawing more on their own feedlots for throughput in recent days. Factory agents have also ramped up activity in marts buying slaughter-fit cattle and paying the equivalent of over €4.50/kg carcase weight to secure them.

In Northern Ireland, processors are growing anxious about the supply of finished cattle for the month ahead

Last week’s kill dropped to 29,125 excluding 2,130 head of veal. The four-day kill due to St Patrick’s Day will have been a factor but finished cattle are still in tight supply.

In Northern Ireland, processors are growing anxious about the supply of finished cattle for the month ahead and several farmers report they are being contacted regularly by factory agents looking to ring-fence numbers.

Beef prices in Northern Ireland are holding firm in the mid-£3.80/kg bracket (€4.65/kg including VAT), with larger finishers getting more to guarantee supply.