Producers still hold cattle trade aces

PRICES being paid for beef continue to top the officially quoted rates by up to 9 cent/kg (3p/lb), as producers continue a hard sell approach at the factories, although some weakening in the trade can be detected, as the supply of cattle increases.

Generally, the base line quote for beef has remained at 286 cent/kg (102p/lb), with a few factories having adjusted quoted prices downwards to 283 and back to 277 cent/kg (101p-99p/lb) for R4L grade. However, all factories are finding it impossible to buy cattle at these prices, and most producers are getting close to 291 cent/kg (104p/lb), and there is still a bit of 291 to 294 cent/kg (104p or 105p) being paid at the top end of the market, particularly for good quality cattle, or where the supply remains very tight.

The significant feature of the prices being paid is that the price variation between grades exists only in name, and aherence to the Meat Industry Ireland price grid is indiscernible in the pay sheets from the factories.