Prices stable as supplies of finished cattle tighten

Beef prices are stable at the factories this week, with supplies of finished cattle remaining tight, and beef market demand keeping pressure on processors.

Quoted prices for this week are unchanged, with processors continuing to pay top-up, particularly at the lower end of the quoted range, to maintain their cattle intake. They are more resistant to topping-up at the upper end of the quoted range.

Base prices being quoted for steers range from 410 to 415c/kg (146p-148p/lb). The general price being paid is in the 410-420c range (146p-150p/lb). It is harder this week to get 420 c/kg, and above that has effectively been ruled as a ‘no-go area’ by processors.