Prices stabilise as factories tighten control after 2025 surge
Processors blame weak demand, particularly for the more expensive cuts.
For the third consecutive week, beef prices at the factories remain stable, with no change on the returns being offered to suppliers.
The word is “there is a bit more positivity” about beef prices, but the factories are “very resilient” against conceding any increase, while intakes are “flowing more smoothly” and the waiting lists to get cattle killed have dissipated.
“The factories appear to be happy enough to work away with the present level of intake at current prices. But they are very determined not to allow a repeat of what happened last year when prices got into out-of-control overdrive. Any gradual hardening of prices this year will be very tightly controlled, I believe,” one source said this week.
Producers are pointing out the widening gap in 2025 between the Bord Bia benchmark, showing the widest differential in years between Irish, UK and EU averages. However, processors blame weak demand, particularly for the more expensive cuts.
In general, steers continue on a base of 660c/kg. For most of the country, an extra 5c/kg is about the limit that can be secured through hard dealing, except for regular suppliers with larger lots who can secure 10c/kg over the general base.
Heifers are working off a general base of 670c/kg, with a similar pattern to steers when it comes to securing extras.
The general exception appears to be a bit more bite in demand for stock in the North-West and West of the country, with bases of 670–680c/kg respectively for steers and heifers.
Countering this is what appears to be an overall tightening of the breed bonus payable on both Angus and Hereford cattle. Bonus payments have been tightened, and suppliers are reporting difficulty in getting some processors to pay any bonus.
Suppliers with either Angus or Hereford are advised to ensure, as part of their deal, that the bonus will be paid and the level agreed before delivering to the factory.
Cow prices continue strong at 630–645c/kg for R-grade cows this week, with strong demand for numbers, while R-grade young bulls are making up to 670c/kg as supply continues to slip back.
Supply for last week remained rock steady, on par with recent weeks, at 30,582 head. This was about 5,000 head lower than the same week in 2025 and, despite being a four-day week due to Easter Monday, only 340 head less than the previous week.
The weekly kill included 12,105 steers, 9,998 heifers, 6,814 cows and 1,353 young bulls.
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