A further tightening in supplies is inserting much more life into the beef trade.

Steers are trading on a base of €3.85/kg to €3.90/kg at the higher end of the market, although there is regional variation, with some plants trying to quote less.

Likewise, heifers are trading in greater frequency on a base of €3.95/kg to €4/kg, with cow prices also recording a lift of 5c/kg to 10c/kg.