Beef prices hit by cattle surge after burger debacle

The beef trade is more of a mixed bag than usual this week, coming under pressure in the aftermath of the beef burger controversy, and the nearly 4% weakening of sterling against the euro since New Year’s Day.

There has been a surge of cattle available to processors since the burger issue broke last week, and returns to farmers are suffering in most regions — with the impact dependent on local supply and demand.

It’s typical of the beef business that just when things are looking up, something unexpected throws a spanner in the works.