Heifer price rises in EU but slumps in Ireland

The latest EU R3 heifer beef price league table shows the biggest monthly slump of the 17 countries and regions listed occurred in Ireland.

At the same time, the price increased in Great Britain, which takes about half of Ireland’s beef exports. Heifers made up about 27% of the kill at Irish beef export factories this year.

For the week ending Aug 5, the R3 heifers averaged 400.1p per kg in Ireland — well ahead of the EU average of 389.2c, but only seventh in the EU league, and significantly behind league leader Great Britain, where the average price was 434.2c.