Confidence in the beef and lamb markets is weakening as processors struggle to adjust to new market conditions and the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown in the UK and abroad. As shelves empty in retailers, abattoirs are yet to dramatically lift their prices. However, the trade is indicating that prices should start to move next week.

The official AHDB price dropped 1p/kg to £3.50/kg for an R4L steer in Scotland for the week ending 21 March.

R4L grade heifers dropped 2p/kg on the previous week at £3.50/kg, with same-grade young bulls not moving from £3.36/kg. Cows grading O-4L didn’t change at £2.58/kg, with R grade cows making £2.74kg, which is down a 1p/kg on the week.

However, recent anecdotal prices all look to see abattoir pulling prices back.

The number of store cattle through the live ring was unchanged on the week, as 5,454 animals were sold. United Auctions had the most cattle, with 1,996 sold to an average of £870/head. Thainstone sold over 1,898 with an average of £957/head. The national average was £876/head, down £24/ head on the previous week.

AHDB are quoting the lamb price until the end of last week at £5.54/kg for an R grade lamb but the impact of falling exports is pulling prices down.

Finished sheep in the live ring were trading at around £2.40/kg for a medium weight before the UK lockdown with more recent sales closer to £1.80/kg at the start of this week. Heavier lambs have fallowed a similar pattern with prices shifting from £2.40/kg to £1.75/kg. This has taken £30/head off the lamb trade.

In total, 20,413 lambs were sold through the prime live ring, down 4,605 on last week. Over 4,258 ewes were sold last week which is down 2,000 on the week. There is a volatile trade with some sales averaging closer to £70/head with other earlier sales at £128/head. The average is only back £1/head to £98/head.

The national average for store lambs was £70/head, down £3/head on last week for the 2,172 lambs sold down 1,000 on last week.