Limited extras offered as beef processors maintain price control

There is no indication tighter supplies relative to previous years’ intake, or ongoing producer demands for higher returns, are likely to have any major influence on prices in the short term

Current insider view is that processors recognise they made a major mistake in 2025 by allowing ‘runaway’ prices to take hold, and are determined to exercise tighter control this year.

Processors continue to maintain a firm grip on price movement overall and are resisting producer demands that higher returns are justified by current beef market conditions.

However, as the familiar slogan goes, “every little helps”, and processors are known to have conceded slight ‘extra’ benefits to suppliers with larger numbers and to some regular suppliers during the past week.