Irish beef factories are the top payers in the EU cow trade with the exception of Sweden. For the week just ending, Irish O3 grading cows were making on average €3.34/kg, which is 6c/kg better than Britain where O3 cows were making the equivalent of €3.28/kg.

Cow trade in Germany is much stronger this spring than it was this time last year, with O3 cows making on average €3.24/kg compared with just €2.95/kg average a year ago.

France is traditionally one of the strongest cow markets in the EU but is back on €3.14/kg for O3 cows last week, which is 8c/kg lower than the same week in 2017. The Italian cow trade is steady at €3.05/kg, while Spain is back on €2.29/kg and the Netherlands is on €2.99.

Sweden has the highest beef price in all categories and their cows were making the equivalent of €3.93/kg last week.

Steer/young bull trade

On prime beef, Irish factories have closed the gap and in some cases eliminated it with other EU countries, which is normal this time of year. Irish R3 steers were making €3.96/kg last week, which is 5c/kg better than last year. This is 29c/kg behind the UK R3 steer price which is the equivalent of €4.25/kg, while Sweden is on the equivalent of €4.32/kg for R3 young bulls.

On prime beef, Irish factories have closed the gap and in some cases eliminated it with other EU countries

Irish R3 steer prices are competitive with Germany, just 4c/kg ahead on €4.00 for R3 young bulls, while Spain is on €3.94/kg. Both France and Italy who had been ahead of Ireland’s price are now behind. Italian R3 young bulls are making €3.72/kg while French R3 young bulls are at €3.78/kg.

Prices in the USA continue much lower than a year ago in euro terms with a weaker dollar being a partial explanation for steer prices of €3.49/kg compared with €4.19/kg this time last year. Australia too is much lower on just the equivalent of €3.03/kg, compared with €3.73 this time last year.

Finally, Brazilian prices are seriously in the doldrums at the equivalent of just €2.00/kg, which is 54c/kg below last year's levels.

Heifers

EU heifer trade is particularly strong in Italy and Britain. Italian R3 heifers are making €4.44/kg, while British R3 heifer price is the equivalent of €4.28/kg. Irish R3 heifers were making €4.08/kg last week, which is 22c/kg better than France where the price is €3.86/kg. Spain and Germany are further back on €3.87/kg and €3.80/kg respectively. As with all other cattle, Sweden is at the top of the market on the equivalent of €4.26/kg, just 2c/kg behind the UK.

Note: Figures supplied by Bord Bia and prices are all net of VAT.