Beef prices lower in new EU states

Marts: Prospects for the marketing of beef into the extended EU now numbering 25 countries must be considered in the context that production is currently slightly higher than consumption in the 10 new states and prices are considerably lower than those in the EU-15.

Following the extension of the EU on May 1, the 10 new countries have added 8.2% to beef production, while consumption has increased by 7.9%.

Because of the greater demand of household spend on food, relative to the EU-15, due to the low level of income, the cost of beef is significant in securing increased sales.