Strong demand beefs up factory prices
The intake of bullocks slipped by 500 head, compared to the previous week, but the supply of heifers increased by over 1,000 head as the overall kill was back by 2,300 head on the same week in 2004.
Lower imports of beef from South America and tight domestic supplies in Britain and on the continent, to supply good consumer purchasing, has created stronger demand and higher prices throughout Europe.
The national average for R4L bullocks last week was 96.5p/lb, an increase of 2.5p/lb.
There was a top price of just over 100p/lb paid by Donegal Meats. Exel Meats and sister plant, Newgrange Meats, paid averages of over 98p/lb and a further seven factories paid over 97p/lb average.
AIBP Group paid over 3p/lb more for supplies, with individual factories within the group increasing prices by 4p/lb. The R4L bullock price at the Kepak Group increased by 3p/lb and Dawn Group paid 2.5p/lb more. A national average of 94.5p/lb was paid for O4L bullocks.
Heifer prices have gained almost 1p/lb on the bullocks at an average of 97.3p/lb for R4L grade.
Kepak at Clonee paid an average of 103p/lb, Slaney Meats and AIBP at Bandon paying averages just under 100p/lb and Dawn at Waterford, Donegal Meats, Jennings and AIBP at Waterford beating 98p/lb.
The average for O4L heifers was 94p/lb.
Cull cow prices improved by up to 3p/lb with a top price of 86p/lb for R grade paid by Donegal Meats - a new competitor in the cow beef market - while Newgrange Meats paid 82p/lb for O grade and Liffeys paid 78p/lb for P grade.
These purchasers were only marginally ahead of Moyvalley Meats, Co Kildare, Exel Meats, AIBP at Bandon and Euro Farm Foods at Duleek all continue to be strong competitors on price for cull cows.
