This is a subscriber-only article
Beef prices have risen by up to 10c/kg per kilo this week, driven by a very tight supply of in-spec cattle and strong UK market conditions, IFA livestock chair Brendan Golden has said.
The IFA has said the recent increases are about keeping pace with price in the UK and that Irish prices must push on to reflect the full benefits of the current market conditions for beef.
Golden said: “A €3.65/kg price is freely available for bullocks, with deals of €3.70/kg and above paid to secure numbers over the weekend. The equivalent price for R4L steers in GB is €4.54/kg.
“Heifers are starting off a base of €3.70/kg, with €3.75/kg and above paid as factories fill orders for the lucrative Christmas trade.”
Active agents
The IFA said numbers are expected to continue to tighten over the coming weeks, with agents and factories active on the ground to secure cattle.
Golden continued: “Cow trade also strengthened this week. Prices increased by a similar 10c/kg in some factories.
“P grade cows are making from €2.70/kg to €2.90/kg, O grades [from] €2.80/kg to €3/kg, with good-quality R/U grading cows pushing to €3.30/kg and above in some cases.”
SHARING OPTIONS: