The price difference between heifers slaughtered in Ireland and Northern Ireland has narrowed again, figures from the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) show.
During the week ending March 6, the price difference between R3 heifers slaughtered in the Republic and Northern Ireland was just 4.9c/kg, it shows, with Northern R3 heifers making 401c/kg compared to southern heifers making 396.4c/kg.
The price gap between heifers produced either side of the border has reduced in recent weeks, as the difference between the two stood at 9c/kg during the week ending February 28.
According to the LMC, the narrowing of the price has occurred as the euro has strengthened against the Sterling.
But, it also says that the Northern Irish heifer price has dropped by 11.5c/kg between the week ending February 28 and March 6.
Northern Irish R3 heifers made the equivalent of 401.3c/kg during the week ending March 3.
However, it shows that the average R3 Irish heifer price dropped, but not as severely as the heifer price in the north.
The LMC shows that the average Irish heifer price fell by 1.6c/kg to 396.4c/kg during the week ending March 6.
According to the LMC, the average British R3 heifer price during the week ending March 3 was 428.2c/kg, which has decreased by 13.1c/kg compared to the previous week.
As a result of the fall in British beef price, the price difference between British and Irish R3 heifer price stood at 31.8c/kg during the week ending March 6.
Source: LMC