Prices of two weeks ago are now the exception

A WEEK may be a long time in politics — but farmers realised this week that a couple of weeks can make a big difference in the beef trade.

Two weeks ago, when dealing with beef processors, they saw improvement in prices every week. This week, it has become a challenge for them to secure prices at last week’s level.

The processors are in a stronger bargaining position now. Their pre-Christmas intake requirements will be satisfied within a few days, and they have consequently moved to cut prices, lowering all quotes for cattle for this week, by as much as 10 cent/kg compared to two weeks ago.