Strong beef prices driven by strong market demand - IFA

Mr. John Graham, Sligo IFA Livestock Chairman said beef prices are holding firm, driven by extremely strong market demand and rising prices in our main export market in the UK.

He said UK prices have risen each week for the last 10 weeks in a row by over 16c/ kg. He said these price increases, which are continuing strongly, outweigh any change in the sterling exchange rate.

In addition, he said beef demand across all other markets is also very strong and there is not a kilo of beef in store anywhere.

Mr. Graham said lighter carcase weights and a strong live export trade will help to negate the impact of higher numbers for the second half of the year. Irish slaughtering’s are running 27,000 head above last year. Despite higher numbers, carcase weights are down this year. For the first four months of the year, steer weights are back 9.6kg.

In addition, live exports are very strong this year, up 35,000 head at 116,000 head. Over 90,000 calves have been exported and exports to Turkey are also very strong with one exporter currently filling a contract for 20,000 head. It is expected there will be further contracts as the year progresses.

Grass growth is very strong and cattle are thriving well.