This week's factory quotes have seen beef price offers steady after five consecutive weeks of 10c/kg price cuts.

Prices have declined by 50c/kg in the past five weeks and are down by 90c/kg since January of this year and approximately €1.10/kg since this time last year.

Weekly cattle supplies have been remaining largely steady (with cumulative kill numbers behind last year) but there was some talk last week from procurement staff at a few sites in relation to some tightening in factory cattle supplies.

It remains to be seen if this will materialise in the weekly kill numbers.

Factory quotes: Heifers and steers

This week, heifers are generally being quoted at €6.30/kg on the grid and steers are generally being quoted at €6.20/kg on the grid.

Some regular suppliers are managing to secure base prices 5-10c/kg above this in cases.

Angus breed bonuses are generally ranging from 15-20c/kg on eligible cattle, while Hereford breed bonuses are generally ranging from 5-10c/kg on eligible cattle.

Cow price

€5.60/kg has been tabled for 'P' grade cows again this week in most cases.

'O' grade cows are being quoted at €5.70/kg at the higher-end of the price scale. Some outlets are offering €5.80/kg for 'O+' grade cows again this week.

'R' grade cows are being quoted at €5.90/kg in general again this week with some outlets offering up to €6.00/kg for these.

'U' grade cows are being quoted at €6.00-€6.10/kg, with some outlets offering premiums of €6.20/kg for 'U' grade cows.

Click here to see the latest official factory cow price data.

Bulls

Under-24-month bulls are being quoted at €6.50/kg for 'U' grades at the higher end of the scale, with other outlets tabling €6.30/kg.

'R' grade bulls are being quoted at €6.40/kg with lower offers of €6.20-€6.30/kg also common.

'O' grade bulls are being quoted at €6.20/kg and 'P' grade bulls are being quoted at €6.10/kg with some outlets holding their bull price offers below these levels.

Under-16-month bulls are being quoted at €6.20/kg on the grid in general this week.