Farmers are calling for the Government to bring more transparency into the beef sector. It comes as the beef price took another knock to £3.32/kg for an R grade continental steer, which is a £40/head fall in the last few weeks. NFU Scotland has written to the UK government calling for action to deliver better price transparency in the beef supply chain once the COVID-19 outbreak is over.

Strong sales of beef, particularly mince, through retailers and butchers’ shops throughout the pandemic have been hugely encouraging for the red meat sector. Traditional joints have been more difficult to sell. To secure better carcase balance, promotional activities over the Easter weekend focused on higher-value cuts such as roasts and steaks.

However, farmgate prices for beef cattle have been falling.

In a letter to Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, George Eustice MP, NFU Scotland President Andrew McCornick said: “Transparency is one of the conditions required for a free market to be efficient. From farm to fork, food prices develop along a food supply chain that involves farmers, the food processing industry and retailers.

Transparency

“While the work of the grocery code adjudicator has delivered a significant amount of oversight between the relationship of processors and retailers, there is little transparency on what determines the price processors pay to farmers.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the marketplace. Food service sales have plummeted, and retail sales are strong in parts and are fluctuating in others.

“There is huge frustration being expressed by beef farmers right across the country on what is happening to beef prices and this is a direct result of the lack of transparency in the meat industry.

“While there is transparency on the average price received by farmers, the further the animal goes from the farm gate, the less information is made available on price.