Beef prices have steadied in most plants, with this week’s kill the last full week of processing for 2019.

Some plants are operating at lower capacity in the second half of the week and with the kill sorted for early this week are looking longer term and arranging throughput for over the Christmas period.

Steers are trading on a mixed base of €3.50/kg to €3.55/kg, with heifers moving in general at a base of €3.55/kg. Select deals within plants are rising 5c/kg to a base of €3.60/kg for choice heifers or large batches.

Weight limits continue to be imposed to varying degrees, with some plants strict on carcase weights and trying to impose penalties over 420kg, while others are showing more flexibility up to 440kg to 450kg carcase weight.

Variance

There is as much variance within plants as there is across plants, with the producer-processor relationship and negotiating power having a big say on potential deductions.

Where any doubt exists, the advice remains the same - to question carcase weight limits before moving stock.

Cow and bull prices are also unchanged in the main, with demand focusing firstly on steers and heifers and then cows and young bulls.

There is a differential of up to 15c/kg and even greater between prices paid for similar classes of stock

There is a differential of up to 15c/kg and even greater between prices paid for similar classes of stock.

P+3 grading cows average €3.60/kg to €3.65/kg, but there is a 5c/kg to 10c/kg swing either side of this range.

O grading cows are selling in the main for €2.80/kg to €2.85/kg, with R grades averaging €3.00/kg.

R grading bulls are trading from €3.40/kg to €3.50/kg, with a high percentage moving at the midway point of €3.45/kg.

U grading bulls are trading from €3.50/kg to €3.60/kg, while O grading bulls range from €3.20/kg to €3.35/kg, with carcase weight and fat cover influencing prices paid.

Beef price index

The latest Bord Bia price index for 7 December shows the Irish composite price averaging €3.16/kg excluding VAT compared with the export benchmark of €3.43/kg.

This difference of 27c/kg has increased 3c/kg since the last beef price index on 30 November.

Looking at how these compare to the corresponding week in 2018, the Irish composite price is 23c/kg lower, while the export benchmark is just 1c/kg lower.

This shows how far Irish prices have fallen behind the EU average in recent times, with the year-to-date average running at €3.35/kg in Ireland compared with €3.43/kg in Europe.