Demand for cattle has weakened
With orders for Easter completed, demand for cattle has weakened at the factories, and prices have come under pressure again, as supplies continue to increase.
Price became the secondary consideration for some producers yesterday as they experienced difficulty in getting cattle booked in for this weeks kill as the “booked out” sign went up at some factories by noon.
While last weeks prices of 85p-81p/lb for R/O grades was available in the morning at some factories - others reduced their quotes for the week by 1p/lb - the requirement for the week was rapidly booked in at a number of the factories. By noon yesterday Galtee Meats, Charleville reported that they were booked out and producers were getting the same message at Dawn Meats, Midleton while bookings for this weeks kill was rapidly being taken up at Kepak, Watergrasshill and Exel Meats at Kilbeggan.
Export orders for the Easter trade were completed last week and demand is reported to be very quiet on export markets this week. Bullock supplies to the factories increased by 1,000 head to 21,567 head last week out of a total kill for the week of 36,010, which is 6,000 head higher than the same week in 2002.
Supplies are particularly strong in the south, while the supply situation has also improved in the midlands this week where intake was more than adequate yesterday and prices were also coming under some pressure.
Another short week coming - with Bank Holiday Easter Monday - is not going to help the situation for producers who are now anxious to get their sheds emptied.
