Beef price tracker 2

nobody knows or can predict what the price will be in the autumn. The only tuppence from my book is that if they do go to €5.50 and stay at that for a while, it will genuinely force a lot of farmers out of business.

Unless it’s the cartels objective to actually do this, and clear the pathway for them to import even cheaper beef.

Who knows…..?

Its easy enough to fall out with a procurement manager. I have no issue with anyone using an agent. I use one myself for exactly that reason. If I fall out with an agent I can move to another one. There is a limited number of processors

Its crazy the amount of ordinary lads finishing cattle out of the shed. I only finish cattle capable of being hung by the end of January and then its only a pen at the most After that if a processor wants me to winter finish he will have to give me a contract. They will not do that so I am f@@ked if I am accepting the risks involved.

What type of Bulls U 16 months or ones heading for 24 months. Was he constantly selling them to different processors previous years. Locally any lads supplying regularly to a local factory is getting them away. Seems to be no issue with Continental type bulls again locally.

Dropped a few cattle poff this morning. Lairage was fairly empty at 9 am mostly cows in it. 50 cattle at the most left to slaughter. 2 trucks arrived after that while I was washing the box. I doubt if they were full. I was a while washing it as it was filthy. Surprised as it was a Tuesday after a bank holiday weekend. Kill dropped to 30250 last week. Last BH week at the start of May they held the kill at 31k+

@kk.man the only market returning 8 euro plus Europe that imports beef is Italy. Most of our beef would not be to there specification. The requirements is for U24 months intensively fed lean beef. They do not like marbling in there meat. As well I think they want a white fat finish not the yellow we get off grass. Last year they were 70c to a euro behind us. Grand if we can crack it but it would take a change of product

If they are factory fit i would bring them to the factory not the mart. In a downward pressure like we are experiencing the factory agent can make a quick buck easier.

This was part of yesterday's editorial in the FI. I just pasted the lot of it

Irish beef is "under pressure” in the UK due to imports from countries such as Australia and New Zealand, coupled with higher consumer prices and reduced retail promotions and shelf space, Bord Bia has said.

Bord Bia's Beef and Livestock Sector Manager Joe Burke said retail sales of beef "have been difficult”, with consumer behaviour increasingly driven by switching and value-seeking.

He said cost remains "very much top of mind” for shoppers, a trend highlighted in Bord Bia's latest survey of approximately 1,500 beef shoppers across seven key markets. The study, undertaken earlier this year, found that for shoppers who considered buying beef but ultimately chose not to, price was the main barrier.

Mr Burke said this was mirrored in the UK, where price inflation across the food category is "the key worry” for shoppers. He said a colleague in the UK told him recently that "shelf space being dedicated to beef is under pressure”.

"The lack of price promotions that would normally be driving the category somewhat means retailers are giving it somewhat less shelf space, as opposed to some cheaper proteins, pork and chicken, which are relatively price competitive.”

He said Irish beef exports to the UK are down 10pc so far this year, or around 6,000 tonnes, a decline that has "coincided with a bit more emphasis on EU markets to compensate for that”.

Kantar data show that in the 12 weeks to April 19, retail beef sales volumes fell by 8.8pc in Great Britain compared with the same period in 2025, as prices increased by an average of 18.5pc.

"Remember this time last year, we were already seeing some price increases in the beef category, so it's 18.5pc on top of some further price increases last year,” Mr Burke said.

Across individual categories, mince volumes fell by 6.2pc, steaks by 10.9pc and roasting joints by 9.9pc. Meanwhile, prices increased, with mince up 17.1pc and roasting joints up 13.5pc, while steak values edged down slightly by 0.5pc.

During the first quarter of 2026, Irish beef accounted for 64pc of the UK's fresh and frozen beef imports, which was down from 77pc in the same period in 2025. Mr Burke said the decline is being "mainly driven by that more competitive product” from Australia and New Zealand.

"Their producer prices are significantly lower, and that product is coming in at a lower price point, and it's particularly aimed towards that food service and wholesale sector. A lot would be steak cuts going into the UK into restaurants, ultimately through wholesalers.

"British and Irish beef dominate the British retail market. Similarly, for the higher tier, quick service restaurant or manufacturing market, the key players there have a commitment towards sourcing British and Irish beef.

"But food service, the kind of lower to mid-tier restaurant, hotel and catering, it's at that level that many operators are considering that cheaper raw material coming in from the southern hemisphere.”

The uK economy is stagnated since Brexit in 2020. Covid caused a 15-20% decline inbthe UK economy from which it has not recovered. The Australian and NZ free trade deal was put inmplace by the last Conservative government and if you think thing cannot get worse wait until after the next UK election to see what will happen if Reform UK get into power.

Nice going

And the chills are full/can't get cattle booked in🤔

They are starting to hit a wall. Watch the DFAM numbers next Tuesday. Heifer and Steer kill is dropping 500 per week combined. Cows and YB's have made up the difference so far but young cattle getting scarce

just on the prices above, is that the cost when buying them or the cost of buying plus meal/silage etc?