Factory cattle intake dips below 30,000 as prices hold steady

Supplies are tightening, with the intake for last week dipping to under 30,000 head for the first time in 2025, and the belief some finishers are now holding back on selling fit animals

Producer patience with the ongoing ‘stable’ prices for the prime beef animals from the processors continues, while there is strong contention the markets for beef are continuing to deliver increasing returns.

However, supplies are tightening, with the intake for last week dipping to under 30,000 head for the first time in 2025, and the belief some finishers are now holding back on selling fit animals.

Suppliers to the factories are reporting some deals for over the quoted prices "are going" this week at factories short of supply. But it is believed the majority of the processing plants are sticking as close as possible to the ‘set’ quotes for stock.

The latest beef price monitoring report from the agfood regulator has shown the weekly increase in market returns to the factory continuing week-on-week.

For week ending April 20, the regulator's analysis of the returns to the factories showed forequarter beef up 1.05% on the previous week, with hindquarter up 1.51% and mince (5% fat) up by 2.04%.

These returns are the analysis by the regulator of returns made by the four main processors of the market prices received for the categories.

"An increase of 1.5% from the market equates to 11c/kg on a base at 750c/kg. It is a simple fact that the factories are getting higher returns but they have decided not to pass it on," responded one disgruntled finisher.

"All of the indications are that the processors are playing tricks with the producers at present and paying well above their quoted prices for the beef live animals at the mart sales, while the higher prices are not there for those finishers selling direct to the plants," they added.

There is growing concern over the widening differential between beef prices in Northern Ireland and those being paid by the southern-based factories, which has become particularly evident since the ‘freeze’ was imposed by the Irish factories over recent weeks.

The base for steers continues at 740c/kg, with some securing 750c/kg, and suppliers to the smaller processors appearing to be faring the best on getting above these prices this week as finished supplies tighten.

The heifers are on a base of 750–760c/kg, and some suppliers are holding out for at least 770c/kg. Prices on offer for the young bulls have eased to be closer aligned with the steer price.

Demand continues strong for the cows. The well-finished heavy cows are in particular demand, with R-grade making about 730–740c/kg and up to 750c/kg being secured in hard selling.

The kill for last week — a four-day operations week with Easter Monday holiday — came to 29,764 head, which included 11,483 steers, 9,820 heifers, 6,116 cows and 1,514 young bulls.