Cattle supply falls under 30,000

THE SUPPLY of beef cattle has started slipping, raising cautious hopes of the decline in prices being arrested.

There is no doubt that over supply relative to demand drove down prices recently. However, roughly the same intake of cattle in the corresponding weeks last year were selling for about 28 cents/kg (10p/lb) more.

A weaker trade for beef — particularly for forequarters — in Britain and on the continent also undermined prices, amid concerns that more Brazilian beef is making its way into Britain.