The price difference between Irish and Northern Irish R3 beef heifers has narrowed once again, the most recent figures from the European Commission show.
During the week ending March 20, the price gap between Irish and Northern Irish heifers was just 2c/kg, as heifers slaughtered in the North made 397.6c/kg compared to 395.5c/kg in the South.
The narrowing of the price gap means that there was just a €6/head difference in the R3 heifers with a 300kg carcass slaughtered either side of the border.
Earlier in March, the price difference between R3 heifers slaughtered either side of the border stood at just 5c/kg in favour of the heifers produce in Northern Ireland.
The LMC previously reported that the closeness of the beef price in Northern Ireland and the Republic was due to changes in the currency market, as a result of a stronger euro.
But, a spokesperson for the organisation said that the narrowing of the price gap is unlikely to have a major impact on the cross-border trade, due to the strong cattle supplies either side of the border.
However, despite the relative closeness of the Irish and Northern Irish beef price, R3 heifer prices in the UK continue to lead the way.
The most recent figures from the European Commission show that the price difference between Irish and UK heifers was almost 25c/kg during the week ending March 20, or €75/head.
But, UK heifer prices have dropped in recent weeks, falling 5.6c/kg between March 20 and March 13 to stand at 420.4c/kg.
Meanwhile, there has also been some movement in heifer prices on the Continent.
During the week ending March 20, the German R3 heifer price was 360.7c/kg, Poland’s beef price was 303.4c/kg and the R3 heifer price in France was 395c/kg.
