Weekly prime cattle throughput in Northern Ireland plants has continued to decline with 4,643 clean cattle slaughtered last week.
According to the LMC, in the corresponding week last year 6,040 prime cattle were killed in Northern plants, representing a 23% decline year on year.
The LMC also notes that imports of prime cattle from the Republic last week for direct slaughter totalled 300 head with a further 70 prime cattle imported from Britain. Combined these accounted for 8% of prime cattle throughput in the Northern plants.
Meanwhile, cow throughput in Northern Ireland last week was similar to previous weeks with 1,366 cows slaughtered. A total of 76 cows were imported from the Republic last week for direct slaughter with a further 74 cows imported from Britain.
Cattle supplies at export meat plants in the Republic for the week ending July 4 stood at around 30,400 head, which was almost 14% higher than the equivalent week in 2013.
Latest data shows that cumulative supplies for the year to-date are running at over 102,000 head or almost 14% above the figures for the corresponding period last year. Cumulative supply of heifers continue to be up by around 18% on the corresponding period last year with steers and young bulls 16% and 15% higher respectively.