Cattle Trade Remains Strong
IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods has said the cattle trade remains reasonably strong with the base price for steers at €4.15/kg and some top prices of €4.20 paid.
He said heifers have improved in price with €4.30/kg a more common base but prices ranging from €4.25 to €4.35.
On numbers, he said the weekly kill is running at about 30/31,000 head but demand is very strong and there is not an ounce of beef in stock. He said the UK market continues to improve with very strong demand. UK prices of £3.64/kg are equivalent to €4.45/kg including VAT.
International view
On the international beef trade, Angus Woods said beef prices in the main producing continents are very strong with US and Canadian prices at €4.45/4.50/kg. Australian prices are also a historic high levels at €3.52/kg and some of the south American power houses also very strong with Uruguay at €3.41/kg and Argentina at €3.25/kg, all exclusive of VAT.
Live exports
On live exports, Angus Woods said it is very positive to see another boat back in again to load for Turkey. He said it is essential for competition that a strong and vibrant live export trade is maintained through the summer and export numbers increase as we approach the second half of the year.
