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EU beef prices crept up another couple of cents per kilo last week, with the EU average for R3 young bulls reaching just under 365c/kg for week ending 7 December, up 3c/kg on the week before.
Irish prices for R3 steers remained static at 342c/kg, while prices in the North increased on the previous week to the equivalent of 396c/kg, with Britain at the equivalent of 395c/kg.
This puts the Northern Ireland R3 steer price a massive 54c/kg more than the price for R3 steers south of the border.
EU and global markets
Elsewhere in the EU, prices increased 10c/kg over the previous week to 365c/kg in Spain for R3 young bulls, while Sweden increased 7c/kg equivalent to 399c/kg.
France had a modest 2c/kg increase, while there were falls of 1c/kg in Germany to 375c/kg for R3 young bulls and 13c/kg in Italy to 362c/kg.
Wider global markets were also easier last week. New Zealand steers were back a couple of cents per kilo to the equivalent of 375c/kg, while MSA steers in Australia were the equivalent of 352c/kg.
After rapid increases in November, Brazil’s price has been slipping and the price on Friday 13 December had fallen to the equivalent of 294c/kg, back from 327c/kg two weeks ago, and Uruguay has dipped to the equivalent of 391c/kg.
Heifers
The EU average heifer price climbed a couple of cents per kilo to 370c/kg for R3 grades, while the Irish average was back 1c/kg to 350c/kg.
The best heifer price in the EU was available in Northern Ireland for the week ending 7 December at the equivalent of 397c/kg for R3s, with Britain 2c/kg behind at 395c/kg.
Sweden was also strong at the equivalent of 394c/kg and Italy was at 392c/kg. France was back on 387c/kg, while Germany was next lowest to Ireland at 354c/kg.
Cows
Irish O3 cow prices are also at the bottom of the pile. The EU average for O3 was 272c/kg, while the Irish price was 260c/kg - the same as Spain.
Germany reported an average of 264c/kg, while the British price was the equivalent of 269c/kg, a long way behind the 298c/kg average paid in the North.
The Dutch price was also strong at 287c/kg and France returned an average of 295c/kg on O3 cows. The Swedes were out in front on 364c/kg equivalent.
Irish prices have been off the pace in the EU for some time across all categories. There were reports of some increase in quotes for cattle in this current week and farmers will be watching to see if these feed through into higher reported prices for next week.
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