Livestock industry facing mixed fortunes as Christmas looms

Scottish livestock farmers are facing mixed fortunes in farmgate prices as the festive season approaches.

Whilearecentupturnhas seen the prime lambs prices improve, with strong demand driving gains in the market, beef prices remain much lower than many had been hoping for, with prices showing little sign of a pre-christmas boost despite the expected increase in demand.

Stating that NFU Scotland was doing its bit to support Scottish food and farming ahead of Christmas, livestock committee chairman Charlie Adams said that while the strong lamb trade was welcome after a challenging year for producers, there was less festive cheer for beef producers:

“The lower returns in the beef market coupled with the significant increased costs of farm inputs will be presenting challenges to farm business viability and those of us working in the sector would have liked to have seen a demand-driv-

0 Fergus Ewing does his bit for beef at Aldi

en boost in prices ahead of the festive season.”

He said that the union had been in touch with Quality Meat Scotland and the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers to convey members’ concern about the challenging returns in the beef sector:

“In these uncertain times, compounded by ongoing political turmoil, farmers and crofters need to see returns which provide their businesses with the financial security to invest and build resilience. If Scotland is to build its food and drink turnover

then our iconic beef and lamb sectors must be able to invest in business efficiency”. l Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity, was doing his bit to promote local produce this week, judging by his pinny, urging shoppers to “Keep calm and eat Scotch beef ”.

He was joining the sales team at one of the many Aldi stores – where there is a 100 per cent commitment to selling Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork in their everyday range.