Scottish abattoirs increased their beef prices again this week, as tighter numbers force them to chase cattle.

Many abattoirs are now paying around £3.50/kg for an R grade continental steer. This is a rise of 18p/kg over the past two weeks at some processing plants.

Price increases

The official AHDB price increased by 4p to £3.46/kg for an R4L steer in Scotland for the week ending 16 May.

The ADHB reports that R4L grading heifers also rose by 4p to £3.48/kg, with same-grade young bulls also up by 5p to £3.31/kg.

Cows grading O-4L jumped by 10p to £2.52/kg.

The number of store cattle sold through the live ring was over 4,600, which is down nearly 1,000 head on the week.

United Auctions sold over 1,500 store cattle to an average of £850/head. The national average was £816/head, down £31 on the previous week.

Sheep prices

Finished hoggets in the live ring were trading at £2.12/kg for medium-weight lots, which is down 3p/kg on the week.

Heavier hoggets have followed a similar pattern, with prices down 1p/kg to an average £2.02/kg.

In total, 10,456 hoggets were sold through the prime live ring, a drop of 1,044 on the previous week.

Over 1,109 new-season lambs were sold through the prime ring in Scotland, with an average price of £2.56/kg recorded, up 1p/kg on the week.

The live ring also recorded 2,974 ewes sold last week, down by 350 on the previous week.

The average price paid was static at £75/head.