ICSA beef chair Edmund Graham is calling on farmers to stand firm and insist on €4/kg for beef.

He said with current retail demand soaring and Brexit uncertainty that farmers should hold out for the best price possible.

“While €4/kg still does not cover the cost of production, it is the absolute minimum required to work towards a viable price,” he said.

It all adds up to processors running out of excuses for failing to lift prices significantly

“We have seen that most food service outlets have been well able to respond to the demand for delivery and take away options, plus we have seen the growth in retail demand.

"It all adds up to processors running out of excuses for failing to lift prices significantly.

“They can’t blame lockdowns and they can’t blame Brexit, so the time has come for farmers not to accept those arguments and to demand a decent price.”

Lockdown

As reported in this week’s Irish Farmers Journal, beef prices are set to rise as retail demand soars on foot of COVID-19 lockdowns across Europe.

The impact is already evident in the trade this week, with factory agents offering 5c to 10c more than they were before Christmas.

Quotes for bullocks this week range from €3.75/kg to €3.80/kg, while heifers are at €3.80/kg to €3.90/kg.

Department of Agriculture AIMS figures show there will be a significant tightening in finished cattle supplies for the first six months of 2021.

UK retailers saw record sales in December, with sales up 10% on 2019.

This has led to shelves being cleared and chill stores being emptied as demand outstrips supply.

Demand is expected to increase further in the coming months.

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