Beef
The reduced supply of cattle in recent weeks has been hindering processor attempts to reduce prices paid to farmers in the beef trade
The 2025 UK beef production from January to May is 10,000t, or 3%, below the same time period last year, according to the AHDB
The National cattle herd in Australia is continuing to grow, reaching 28.7 million head this year, the highest level in a decade.
Beef News
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While factory agents continue to actively source cattle, there is little change in prices offered at the factory gates this week.
Factories still seem to be holding out on increasing prices paid to farmers, despite the fact that they are actively sourcing stock.
Irish beef exports to the UK fell by 7.5% during the first two months of 2016, recent figures from the Livestock and Meat Commission show.
Irish beef farmers are now being paid more for R3 heifers than farmers in the UK, recent figures from the European Commission show.
The Irish beef demanded from Irish processors by retail customers in the UK tends to be for their standard ranges.
Tighter supermarket specifications are having a big impact on the beef industry in the UK, according to Robert Forster.
UK beef exports have fallen by 11% in 2015, reports the LMC (Livestock and Meat Commission of Northern Ireland).
The heat has left the UK cattle trade on the back of healthy supplies reports the AHDB, the organisation for the English beef and lamb.
Agri-Business
Fresh meat sales in Aldi and Lidl in the UK are growing faster that the top four supermarkets there, according to Ed Garner, Kantar Worldpanel.
Irish exports of beef and veal to the UK in May 2015 were back 350t year-on-year after being up on the year earlier, AHDB says.
Retail beef sales in the UK for the 12 weeks ending May 24, 2015 were down 1.4% compared to the same time last year, the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) says.
UK prime cattle slaughterings in May 2015 were down 8% from last year to 143,800 head, a fall of 12,100 head, AHDB says.
Prime cattle supplies in the UK are expected to be tighter over next six months according to Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).
Opinion
British finishers are wincing at the most recent evidence that the UK’s prime beef cattle market is unacceptably volatile.
