Beef trade and prices turn autumnal

BEEF prices came under another wave of pressure at the factories this week, when quotes were reduced by 3 cent/kg (1p/lb) across the country.

Processors were aided by the change in the weather to more autumnal conditions, as they reduced the prices for R and O grade stock to a range from 243 to 232 cents/kg (87p to 83p/lb), and they cut prices even deeper by re-introducing the price penalty for over 30 months animals.

Meanwhile, the beef industry tries to assess the impact of the decision in Britain to lift the food chain ban on their Over 30 Months cattle in early November, which will release another 12,000 to 14,000 cattle per week into the UK market, when fully operational.