The cattle trade continues to be underpinned by strong demand and some further tightening in supplies, according to Bord Bia.
However, it says a mixed trade was reported across our key beef export markets.
IFA cattle price update
- Steer base €4.20/kg – €4.25/kg.
- Heifers €4.30/kg – €4.35/kg.
- Bulls U – €4.30/kg, R – €4.20/kg, Os – €4.00/kg.
- Cows €3.65/kg €3.90/kg €4.00/kg.
Last week, cattle prices remained relatively steady.
The majority of steers were being purchased at a base price of around €4.20/kg on the Quality Payment System while heifers were being purchased on average at a base of between €4.25 to €4.30/kg with selected lots achieving higher prices.
These prices exclude bonuses payable on in-spec QA animals. Prices paid for O grade cull cows are generally making between €3.60/kg to €3.75/kg.
The latest cattle supplies at export meat plants for the week ending April 18, stood at around 29,000 head which was 8% behind supplies for the same week last year.
Cumulative supplies for the year to date are down around 13,500 head on supplies for the corresponding period last year standing at around 490,000 head.
In Britain, Bord Bia says reported cattle prices from the AHDB for GB R4L grade steers were averaging at 350.8 pence/kg (equivalent to 488.38 c/kg) for the week ended April 18. Trade was reported as best for steak cuts particularly strips and ribeyes with trade for fillets and manufacturing beef slow.
In France, Bord Bia says little change has been reported in the trade with promotions this week centred on roasts, fillets and sirloins while in Italy, the trade was reported as slow on the back of sluggish demand.