IFA says Irish beef price stagnant versus UK rises
IFA president Eddie Downey said the figures illustrate our main market in the UK performed strongly on both volume sales and retail price in recent months, which coincided with the 30c/kg increase in UK cattle prices and the widening of the gap between here and the UK to €350 per head.
He said there was no justification for the meat factories to continue to withhold higher market returns to beef farmers.
He said CSO data on retail beef prices in the 12 months to August 2014 shows there was a drop in steak prices of 2%, while other beef products, including diced beef (+6%) and roast beef (+1%) increased in price.
Meanwhile, the ICSA has met with MII to secure changes in the specifications for beef pricing including an end to the 30-month cut off.
ICSA president Patrick Kent said: “Price is obviously a source of huge anger. However, it is the underlying specs and abuse of the Quality Assurance Scheme by factories which have facilitated substantial price cuts over the past 12 months, costing farmers at least €170m.”
