Factories have tried to exert some pressure on the beef trade this week, with some trying to buy bullocks at €7.50/kg.
Some farmers have managed to squeeze a €7.60/kg base price when pressure is applied, but it looks like quotes will be dropping 10c/kg next week on the back of what agents are saying this week.
Heifers have fared a little better, with as high as €7.80/kg base price being paid this week for good, well-fleshed continental heifers this week.
Cows also haven’t escaped the cuts, with P+3 cows dropping to €6.90/kg this week on the back of increased numbers and a little less appetite for cow beef.
Most factories are concentrating on prime beef from now until Christmas to fill supermarket contracts.
Last week’s kill saw a big lift in numbers, with the weekly kill rising above 31,000 head for the first time since the end of April.
This was just over 7,000 head behind the same week in 2024, with the overall kill for 2025 now running 170,000 head behind the 2024 kill.
Bord Bia is forecasting a recovery in numbers in 2026 but finished numbers will remain tight for much of 2026.
NI quotes increased by 2-4p/kg this week, with 660p/kg (€7.88/kg including VAT) on the table for in-spec cattle.
Factories have tried to exert some pressure on the beef trade this week, with some trying to buy bullocks at €7.50/kg.
Some farmers have managed to squeeze a €7.60/kg base price when pressure is applied, but it looks like quotes will be dropping 10c/kg next week on the back of what agents are saying this week.
Heifers have fared a little better, with as high as €7.80/kg base price being paid this week for good, well-fleshed continental heifers this week.
Cows also haven’t escaped the cuts, with P+3 cows dropping to €6.90/kg this week on the back of increased numbers and a little less appetite for cow beef.
Most factories are concentrating on prime beef from now until Christmas to fill supermarket contracts.
Last week’s kill saw a big lift in numbers, with the weekly kill rising above 31,000 head for the first time since the end of April.
This was just over 7,000 head behind the same week in 2024, with the overall kill for 2025 now running 170,000 head behind the 2024 kill.
Bord Bia is forecasting a recovery in numbers in 2026 but finished numbers will remain tight for much of 2026.
NI quotes increased by 2-4p/kg this week, with 660p/kg (€7.88/kg including VAT) on the table for in-spec cattle.
SHARING OPTIONS