Meat industry facing difficult trading year as downturn bites

A DIFFICULT trading year for the beef sector was predicted yesterday by Meat Industry Ireland, which represents the processors.

It said cattle price levels are a reflection of challenging market conditions, which are likely to be a feature of 2009.

However, the Irish Farmers Association said the market facts as reported by An Bord Bia show that the factories could easily pay 15c to 20c/kg more for Irish beef.