Factory control tightens as cattle numbers fall to year-to-date low

One of the bigger changes is more resistance by factories to buying on flat prices and suppliers reporting that the processors are more determined to move all purchases onto the grid

Beef processors are continuing to maintain a firm hand on control of the prices being paid for stock while battling with the pressure to maintain their intake of supplies at the minimum required to complete orders.

The upward trajectory of the export market returns for beef to the processors has begun to show the first sign of an easing year-to-date.

The Agfood Regulator analysis of the prices received by the four main export processors shows a slight reversal of the year-to-date weekly upward trend affecting sales for the last week in April and the first week of May supplies.