The star performer this time of year are the roasting cuts of the topside, silverside and knuckles or thick flanks.

These are making up to €7.80/kg and are the backbone of the carcase trade and will be for the next couple of weeks.

After the beginning of December, in many cases the best of the Christmas roasting trade is over, unless late orders come in. If that happens, it can create a surge in demand in the middle of December that continues into the new year. Rumps too are trading well at up to €9/kg

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Manufacturing beef

A strong hindquarter trade is being undermined by very weak manufacturing beef prices, with higher-fat manufacturing beef struggling to find customers.

Such is the lack of demand that large quantities are being frozen and stored in the hope of finding customers in the new year.

Lean manufacturing beef is selling as high as €3.70/kg for small quantities but lower prices are being taken to move quantities.