Bord Bia data on the price for offal products shows that the price per kilo has more than doubled in the last 12 months.

Bord Bia uses data from the United States Department of Agriculture to benchmark where international prices for offal are at and it shows that the price of offal or what is sometimes referred to as the “fifth quarter” has risen from 21c/kg in August 2020 to 43c/kg in August 2021.

Despite this and other positive market developments, factories have continued to push out the negative vibes and apply pressure to the beef trade this week.

This happens as British beef prices head to record prices of 420p/kg (€5.21/kg including VAT) this week.

Staffing issues across a number of factory sites due to COVID-19 and labour availability is affecting demand and throughput in some locations, with some Irish factories hauling beef over 200km to other sites to get it boned out.

Heifers continue to work off €4.20/kg with some of the bigger suppliers on €4.25/kg.

Bullocks are working off €4.15/kg to €4.20/kg with cows continuing to be an extremely solid trade at €3.80/kg to €3.90/kg for good R grading cows.

With schools across the UK back this week, demand for manufacturing beef has improved both north and south of the border.

Cull cows continue to be an exceptional trade in marts with €2.20/kg to €2.50/kg being paid for top-quality young cows with NI customers driving the trade.

There were 565 cattle exported to NI for direct slaughter last week.