Cattle prices have fallen by an average of 15c/kg or by about €50 on a 360kg carcase in recent weeks, as farmers face an increasingly challenging trading environment.

Steers are at a base price of €3.90/kg this week, with €4/kg being paid for heifers.

Farmers are now also facing tighter specifications with factories becoming much tougher on cattle deemed out-of-spec.

Market pressure is coming at a time when farmers are struggling to cope with drought conditions and facing much higher finishing costs.

A fall of 28c/kg in Irish cow prices over the last month has eroded Ireland’s position of averaging 40c/kg above the EU average just a month ago

Throughput has increased significantly with last week’s kill up by 1,418 head to reach 35,628 – a 4,205 head increase on the corresponding week in 2017.

The latest reduction in prices has more than doubled the differential with British prices, which stood at 16c/kg a month ago, and now stand at 39c/kg, or €140 on a 360kg carcase.

A fall of 28c/kg in Irish cow prices over the last month has eroded Ireland’s position of averaging 40c/kg above the EU average just a month ago.

Challenging market

While the IFA has called for prices to stabilise, Meat Industry Ireland has defended factory performance: “Market conditions are challenging. Processing throughput over the last two weeks is up 10% year on year. Finished cattle prices in Ireland remain well ahead of European prices.”

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