The cattle looks to be on the up as Bord Bia report trade has shown a further increase in recent days on the back of increased demand which is having a positive effect on the beef price.
It also says the market was good in the UK with steady trade reported across continental markets.
According to the ICSA’s latest update quotes from factories have increased this week. It says the majority of steers and heifers are getting quotes of between €3.65 and €3.70/kg on the Quality Payment System with selected lots making up to €3.75/kg. These prices exclude the €0.12/kg bonus which is payable on in-spec QA animals. Prices paid for R grade cull cows are generally making between €3.50/kg.
Cattle supplies at export meat plants for the week ending 20th September stood at around 34,400 head, which was 2% higher than the equivalent week in 2013. Cumulative supplies for the year to-date are 12% or 126,500 head above the figures for the corresponding period last year currently standing at 1.15 million head. Throughput of prime cattle is up by 14%.
In Britain, Bord Bia reported cattle prices from the AHDB have risen with GB R4L grade steers averaging at Stg 358.2 pence/kg dw (equivalent to 459 cent/kg dw) for the week ended 20th September. Trade remains quite steady over the past week. Steak cuts are still performing well for this time of the year however forequarter cuts are slow due to the mild weather.
In France the market remains steady with little change reported. There continues to be some promotions for selected hindquarter cuts and briskets which is hoped will help the trade. In Italy there has been little change reported in the trade. However there continues to be more focus on promotional retail activity to combat the slow consumer demand.