Fall in cattle prices is costing industry dear

BEEF: Industry says supply of red meat is up while demand is slipping due to changing consumer habits

The decline in prime cattle prices has cost Scottish finishers around £30 million since last November, according to Quality Meat Scotland.

The levy body’s director of economics services, Stuart Ashworth, told a packed-out red meat in crisis meeting at Thainstone, near Inverurie, that prices were down about 12.5% on last year – the equivalent of £200 less per animal.

Explaining the complexity of the problem, Mr Ashworth said supplies were up at a time when sales were down and processors were struggling to sell all parts of a beast.

“The volume of prime beef on the market has increased by 1.6%, and most of that has been down to increases in carcase weights,” he said.

“A lot of the growth is down to the slaughter of heifers.

“That’s a concern for the long-term future of the industry.”

He said consumer buying habits were changing and sales of burgers, roasts and steaks were down.

“Research shows 21% of UK shoppers define themselves as eco-active and one of the things they are doing is lowering their spend on meat, estimated to be down 6%,” added Mr Ashworth.

He said processors were struggling to find a market for offal, hides and rendering materials and that this was directly impacting farm gate prices.

Meanwhile, NFU Scotland has once more called on farmers to complain to the BBC if they are unhappy with its coverage of farming and the red meat industry.

Union president Andrew McCornick made the plea in response to comments about the national broadcaster’s coverage of the sector at the Thainstone meeting.

Aberdeenshire farmer, Jim Muir, said: “We should have had someone from the BBC (at the meeting) to explain why a public body has been so biased against beef. We need doctors and scientists to help us counter this humbug.”

Mr McCornick agreed and encouraged Mr Muir and others who feel the same to complain.

He said: “They (the BBC) did one week of farming reports and then the Saturday after they were back sticking the knife in us. I would like anybody, if they see this disparity in there, to complain about it. The BBC is supposed to be balanced and I don’t think they are at the moment.”

Quality Meat Scotland chairman, Kate Rowell, said the levy body had complained to the BBC about misinformation about red meat in its coverage, and received a response saying there was no bias in the broadcaster’s reporting.

She said: “Ever since I started in this position, the mud has been slung at us from the anti-meat people. We are trying to protect the industry and get our point of view across.”

Research shows 21% of UK shoppers define themselves as ecoactive and one of the things they are doing is lowering their spend on meat, estimated to be down 6% STUART ASHWORTH QUALITY MEAT SCOTLAND

Picture: PA. The decline in prime cattle prices is estimated to have cost finishers £30 million.