Beef prices show further gains
Cattle supplies were strongest in the south and east yesterday, but considerably tighter up country where the prices were strongest with plenty of competition between processors for the quality animals.
Most of the factories were offering 3 cent/kg (1p/lb) more in their quoted prices with the top-up dependent on the level of supply available. While some processors in the south claimed to be getting plenty of R grade animals for 286 cent/kg (102p/lb) it was hard to find many producers willing to sell below 289 cent/kg-plus (103P/lb), which was freely available in the south. Moving east 291 cent/kg (104p/lb) was on offer at Slaney Meats and in the Midlands Exel was getting very few animals for less than 105p/lb. In the north-west they were worth another 2p/lb at least. Prices for O-grade stock were 283-280 cent/kg (101p-100p/lb) with most of them making 102p/lb and edging towards 103p/lb.
Although the market in Britain is reported to be well supplied and some of the prime cuts under pressure, the demand for cattle at Irish factories is strong, as reflected in the recovery in prices following the recent dip.
The cow trade varies dependent on requirements. Some factories are not as keen on large supplies this week, but there is still plenty of demand for all cows available and competition for the good cows in particular continues to underpin the price. The good O-grade cow is making up to 252 cent/kg (90p/lb) with a further 4p-5p/lb to be got for any R-grade carcass.
