Factories have been forced into increasing quotes for finished cattle this week to secure supplies. Quotes have moved from €3.70/kg base price to €3.75/kg and €3.80/kg in some cases for heifers, with all the signs that the price could keep moving up next week as factories fight it out for cattle.

The cow trade also remains solid with up to €3.40/kg being paid for good-quality R grade suckler cows. Finished cattle supplies remain tight with last week’s kill coming in at 30,430 head excluding veal.

The news that outdoor hospitality is to reopen in the UK from early April is likely to give factories with food service contracts a boost in sales in the coming weeks.