As our main beef export markets are also disrupted by coronavirus, cattle prices appear to be holding up reasonably well, although not as high as would normally be expected at this time of year.

The Irish R3 young bull price of 347c/kg on the R3 grade is completely off the pace with what is paid in the markets where the majority of Irish beef is exported to, with the Netherlands next lowest on 357c/kg and the EU average at 362c/kg.

The Italian price is 368c/kg on the R3 young bull, with Germany one cent higher at 369c/kg followed by Spain on 374c/kg and France at 380c/kg. Sweden is out ahead at 404c/kg on R3 young bulls.

For steers, Britain is on the equivalent of 392c/kg for the R3 grade, the North is on 388c/kg and both are well ahead of the Irish price of 369c/kg.

Heifers

With R3 heifers, Ireland is ahead of the EU average at 375c/kg compared with the EU average of 369c/kg.

Italy, despite all its problems with coronavirus, is the best-paying market in Europe at 420c/kg for the R3 grade, with Sweden next on the equivalent of 399c/kg.

The British price is also strong on 394c/kg, with the North next on 389c/kg. The French price is 389c/kg, while Spain is below Ireland on 373c/kg, Germany is back on 349c/kg and the Netherlands, where there are very few R3 grading heifers, at 312c/kg.

Cows

The Irish cow price is among the best in Europe, with the O3 grade making 299c/kg, bettered only by Sweden on 368c/kg and France on 302c/kg for week ending 15 March.

The EU average O3 cow price was 283c/kg and Britain and Northern Ireland were just below the Irish price at the equivalent of 297c/kg and 296c/kg respectively.

Cow prices were also strong in the Netherlands at 293c/kg, with Germany just one cent behind on 392c/kg.

Cow trade is weak in Spain at 264c/kg and Italy is further back on 249c/kg on the O3 grade.

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