Beef Update
IFA Livestock chairman Brendan Golden said cattle prices have increased again this week. The IFA Livestock Chairman said “Factories are anxious for cattle and farmers with stock on hand should sell hard”. Demand for cows is strong in the mart with factory agents active around the ring. There is strong demand in our key export markets which is predicted to continue for the first half of 2022. The reopening of the food service sector over the coming weeks will increase demand both domestically and in our key export markets.
Beef Price Update 20/01/2022
Steer Base €4.30/4.45kg. Heifers €4.35/4.50kg. Higher deals larger lots. Y Bulls R/U €4.25/4.40Kg. Cows €3.60/4.10kg
Supply Figures as Reported by DAFM – Week 2 (10.01.2022)
| Animal | Number | Change prev wk | % of total | YTD | YTD Change |
| Y Bulls | 3955 | ▲925 | 12% | 6985 | ▼-356 |
| Bull | 312 | ▼-613 | 1% | 1237 | ▲623 |
| Steer | 11173 | ▲2,286 | 34% | 20060 | ▼-2,075 |
| Cow | 6321 | ▲1,104 | 19% | 11538 | ▼-1,110 |
| Heifer | 10620 | ▲1,897 | 33% | 19343 | ▼-2,825 |
| Veal-V | 25 | ▲22 | 0% | 28 | ▼-8 |
| Veal-Z | 29 | ▲4 | 0% | 54 | ▼-10 |
| Total | 32435 | ▲5,625 | 100% | 59245 | ▼-5,761 |
Official Irish Prices as Reported by DAFM – Week 2 (10.01.2022)
| c/kg (Incl. VAT) | U3 | Change prev wk | R3 | Changeprev wk | O3 | Changeprev wk | P+3 | Changeprev wk |
| Steers | 462 | ▲0 | 454 | ▲1 | 441 | ▲1 | 408 | ▲1 |
| Heifers | 471 | ▲0 | 459 | ▲1 | 450 | ▲1 | 402 | ▲0 |
| Y Bulls | 443 | ▲1 | 432 | ▼-2 | 420 | ▲0 | 411 | ▼-3 |
| Cows | 0 | ▲0 | 399 | ▼-4 | 375 | ▲1 | 360 | ▲3 |
Official GB Prices as Reported by AHDB
| Steers | Steers | Heifers | Heifers | Y bull | Y bull | Cow | |
| p/kg | R3 | R4L | R3 | R4L | R3 | R4L | -O4L |
| 08.01.2022 | 415.5 | 418 | 415 | 416.6 | 406.5 | 399.3 | 285.1 |
| 15.01.2022 | 416.7 | 417.4 | 408.4 | 415.6 | 416.7 | 407.5 | 405.4 |
| Change | ▲1 | ▼-1 | ▲1 | ▲0 | ▼-1 | ▲2 | ▲1 |
| Price in c/kg (Incl VAT) | 523.9 | 524.7 | 522.5 | 523.9 | 509.6 | 504.6 | 359.4 |
Euro Price for the Most Recent Week (€/KG Deadweight excl. VAT)
| Country & Type | 2019 | 04.01.2021 | 01.01.2022 |
| EU + Y Bulls | Figures | € 3.67 | € 4.45 |
| IE + Steers | Not | € 3.55 | € 4.31 |
| UK + Steers | Available | € 3.96 | € 4.89 |
Live Exports W/C 10.01.2022
Sheep Update
IFA Sheep Chairman Sean Dennehy said the market conditions that underpinned the sheep trade for the past two years look set to continue for 2022. “Demand for sheep meat in China will continue to drive the global trade as New Zealand and Australia focus on supplying this lucrative market. Consumption of sheep meat in China has increased by 9% since 2018,” he said. This change in supply pattern has resulted in NZ filling only 46% of their EU quota, which is the lowest in decades. This is increasing the opportunity for Irish exports. Sean Dennehy said the trade is predicted to hold steady over the coming months with supply and demand balanced, Easter and Ramadan in early April will be key drivers of the trade. Ongoing issues with UK access to the EU market will create openings for Irish lamb. The IFA Sheep Chairman said the relaxation to COVID-19 controls for the food service sector will increase demand for lamb in the domestic markets, and with COVID-19 cases falling, workforce issues will ease.
Lamb Price Update 20/01/2022
Lamb €6.60/6.90/kg. Higher deals groups/larger lots. Ewes €3.20/3.60/kg. Sell hard.
Supply Figures as Reported by DAFM – Week 2 (10.01.2022)
| Animal | Figure | Change | YTD | |
| Lambs/Hoggets | 46287 | ▲5,591 | 86983 | ▼-4,615 |
| Spring Lambs | 0 | ▲0 | 0 | ▲0 |
| Ewes and Rams | 6098 | ▲2,326 | 9870 | ▼-3,318 |
| Light Lambs | 0 | ▼-7 | 7 | ▲0 |
| TOTAL | 52385 | ▲7,910 | 96860 | ▼-7,933 |
Official Irish Prices as Reported by DAFM – Week 2 (10.01.2022)
| c/kg (Incl. VAT) | WK 2 | Change prev wk | 2021 | Changeprev yr |
| National Avg Price | 693.45 | ▼-9 | 597.68 | ▲96 |
| YTD Avg | 698.14 | ▼-5 | 579.36 | ▲119 |
Official GB Prices as Reported by AHDB
| R3L | Overall SQQ* | Type of lamb | |
| 08.01.2022 | 615.8 | 614.2 | Old season |
| 15.01.2022 | 603.0 | 601.1 | Old season |
| Change | ▼-13 | ▼-13 | |
| Price in c/kg (Incl VAT) | 758.1 | 755.7 |
