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HomeBeefBeef trade: How are prices performing in Northern Ireland?
Catherina Cunnane
Catherina Cunnanehttps://www.thatsfarming.com/
Catherina Cunnane hails from a sixth-generation drystock and specialised pedigree suckler enterprise in Co. Mayo. She currently holds the positions of editor and general manager at That's Farming, having joined the firm during its start-up phase in 2015.
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Beef trade: How are prices performing in Northern Ireland?

Beef factories quoted 364-374p/kg for U-3 grade prime cattle in Northern Ireland this week, according to the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC).

The spokesperson noted that most plants quoted in the region of 370-374p/kg for steers and heifers. The trade for good quality O+3 grade cows “remained steady,” ranging from 265- 290p/kg, with most beef plants quoting in the region of 265-274p/kg.

Throughout

Prime cattle throughput in NI last week totalled 6,661 head, an increase of 763 head from the 5,898 head processed the previous week.

In the corresponding week in 2020, local plants processed 7,217 prime cattle. Cow throughput in NI last week marginally decreased from the previous week to 1,614 head.

In the corresponding week in 2020, 1,848 cows were processed in local plants.

Exports and imports

According to the LMC, imports from ROI for direct slaughter in NI plants last week increased to 478 prime cattle and 75 cows. Besides, exports from NI to ROI for direct slaughter increased slightly from the previous week to nine prime cattle and 57 cows.

There were no cattle imported from GB for direct slaughter in NI last week, and no cattle exported out of NI to GB for direct slaughter.

Beef factories Northern Ireland

“The deadweight trade for prime cattle improved last week in NI with most grades increasing in the region of 2-4p/kg from the previous week.”

The average steer price in NI last week marginally increased to 372.9p/kg. To note, the R3 steer price was up 1.7p/kg to 382.5p/kg.

In the corresponding week last year, the R3 steer price was 338.9p/kg, an increase of 43.6p/kg year-on-year.

The average heifer price in NI last week was 375p/kg, an increase of 4.6p/kg from the previous week, while the R3 heifer price was up by 1.7p/kg to 381.6p/kg.

In the corresponding week in 2020, the R3 heifer price was 339.6p/kg, an increase of 42p/kg year-on-year.

“The NI deadweight cow trade improved last week with the average cow price up by almost 3p/kg to 260.5p/kg and the O3 cow price up by 2.2p/kg to 285.4p/kg.” the LMC added.

Great Britain beef prices

The GB deadweight trade for prime cattle generally strengthened last week across most grades.

Last week both the average steer price and R3 steer price in GB increased by almost 4p/kg to 393.1p/kg and 397.9p/kg, respectively.

“This puts the differential in R3 steer price in NI and GB at 15.4p/kg, just over 11p/kg ahead of the same week in 2020 when the differential was 4.3p/kg.”

“The average heifer price in GB last week increased by 3.4p/kg to 391.9p/kg with the R3 heifer price up by 4.2p/kg to 398.4p/kg. This puts the differential in R3 heifer prices last week between NI and GB at 16.8p/kg an increase of 15p/kg when compared to a differential of 1.8p/kg in the same week in 2020.”

Meanwhile, the cow trade improved in GB with the O3 cow price up 1.8p/kg to 291.3p/kg last week, almost 6p/kg ahead of the O3 cow price in NI.

ROI

In ROI last week, the LMC added, the deadweight prime cattle prices also firmed with prices increasing in the region of 2-4p/kg from the previous week.

“The R3 steer price was the equivalent of 331.5p/kg, up just over 3p/kg from the previous week. The R3 heifer price was up 3.6p/kg to the equivalent of 336.3p/kg. This puts the differential last week with NI at 51p/kg for R3 steers and 45.3p/kg for R3 grade heifers.”

You can find more about beef prices here.

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