The cattle trade remained firm this week as relatively tight supplies and an unchanged market demand helped trade.
Quotes for R grade steers this week under the Quality Payment System were making in excess of €3.68/kg. Heifer quotes also remain strong at €3.70 to €3.75/kg. These prices exclude the 6 cent on in-spec Quality Assured stock. The cow trade firmed with the O grade cow price typically making between €3.08 and €3.19/kg.
Cattle supplies at export meat plants for the week ending 14th May were 2,000 head below the corresponding week in 2010 at 29,200 head. On a year to date basis, supplies are running almost 6% lower than the same period in 2010 driven by lower steer and heifer disposals.
In the UK, trade is generally steady over the past week. Steak cuts and VL’s remain firm with prices stable.
Reported cattle prices from the AHDB have firmed with GB R4L grade steers averaging at Stg 307.8 pence/kg dw (equivalent to 350.4 cent/kg dw) for the week ended 14th May.
On the Continent, there was little change to report in trade this week. Ongoing tight supplies is helping trade for most cuts while the fifth quarter market is also performing well.
Supplies of beef remain relatively tight, which is helping demand. Trade for fifth quarter and manufacturing meat remains strong while a steady demand is reported for steak cuts.
- In France, Irish steer hinds are making €5.20/kg with German Cow hinds at €4.40/kg.
- In Germany, R3 young bulls are averaging €3.38/kg, while O3 cows prices rose by 5/c to €2.83/kg.