The peak season lamb trade has been under pressure, made worse by the disruption in France. After a period of welcome stability, beef too has come under pressure this week.

The problem with beef lies in the struggle to sell forequarter manufacturing of all types. Some pressure is typical at this time of year, when schools in Britain close, but this year, the weak BBQ trade is adding to the problem.

France, already a weak market this year, has gone quiet with the crusade on buying French beef leading to €1.50/kg being wiped off the value of Cote de Boeuf (French ribs), from €12/kg to €10.50/kg, and traders not particularly wanting to buy imports even at this value.

Forequarter stocks are building up, despite values falling by as much as 70c/kg in the case of 95VL, which makes up about 20% of the carcase. The same applies to 85VL, which is back as much as 30c/kg to around €2.80c/kg for limited sales, but no interest in volume.

The only positive is steak meat, which is selling well.