Beef market report: Market steady ahead of three ‘short’ work weeks
With strong intakes continuing, beef farmers are unable to exert enough pressure to get prices increased.
However, some processor threats last week to pull back prices have come to nothing, possibly due to concerns that it would undermine supplies during the upcoming three shortened working weeks.
The base price for steers remains at 390 cents/kg and, similar to previous weeks, there is very little hope of successfully bargaining for a price top-up.
There is a bit more scope for dealing with heifers.
Prices are quoted at a base of 400 cents/kg but up to 405 cents/kg is being paid in some of the deals being negotiated.
There has been a slight hardening in cow prices for middle-range cows, with up to 330 cents/kg on offer for best of the O/P-grade cows this week, within a price range from around 315 cents/kg.
Rs continue to make around 345 cents/kg.
The supply to beef factories last week slipped to just over 31,700 head, and the next few weeks could see intake dip under 30,000 head, with fewer slaughtering days at the plants.
The beef trade in Britain eased slightly last week, with the price for R4L-grade steers declining slightly to Stg 339.5p/kg,
Demand on the UK market was reported to be sluggish for most beef cuts, with the exception of slightly improved consumer demand in advance of the Easter holidays for fillets and rumps.
In France, the beef trade remained slow on the back of continued farmer protests.
It is hoped that the reopening of schools after the spring break will improve the market there. Beef promotions are focused on domestically produced manufacturing beef and steaks, predominantly in Leclerc stores.
In Italy, the beef trade remains largely unchanged, with some easing in forequarter wholesale prices reported.
