Price increases as factories seek stock ahead of Christmas trade

Beef Market Report: The general quote for steers has moved to 465 cents/kg

The full close-down period at the factories for Christmas has shortened in recent years to a few days with the need to replenish the supermarket shelves post-Christmas.

If good things come to those who wait, according to the old adage, then maybe it has come to the turn of the beef finishers to get a little of the benefit for waiting.

A slight increase this week on the prices being offered by the factories for the prime cattle has been driven by demand at the processing plants to get the extra stock ahead of the Christmas trade.