Beef trade firm as improved prices offered

The trade for beef started the New Year on a firm note at the factories yesterday with improved prices on offer at a number of the processors.

While overall markets are reported to be quiet in the post-Christmas trade, the replenishing of stock following the Christmas sales led to demand for limited quantities of cattle at the factories and competition for young stock, resulting in improved prices on offer to fill the demand.

The young stock were generally quoted at 90p/lb for R grade, but given the marts are making a slow return to trading and fewer producers than normal were offering cattle to the factories yesterday, processors paid over the quoted prices to entice out sufficient supplies.