Markets: Upward beef price trend despite steady supply

The gradual upward trend of recent weeks in beef prices has been continued in prices quoted at the factories this week.

The steer and heifer prices improvement of 45-50 cents/kg since last autumn has breathed some confidence back into the trade, after a dismal, loss making 2014, for most beef farmers.

While the overdue recovery in prices is to be welcomed, the latest official EU figures showed that prices have been rising in Ireland at a slower rate than neighbouring markets.