According to the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC), beef prices “strengthened” across plants in Northern Ireland this week (June 2022).
Base quotes for U-3 grade prime cattle ranged from 424-432p/kg, while “good quality” O+3 grading cows varied from 280-360p/kg.
Beef prices June 2022
- According to the commission, the R3 steer price in NI last week rose by 3.9p/kg from the previous week to 440.2p/kg. The overall average steer price increased by 3.9p/kg to 430.8p/kg;
- Meanwhile, the R3 heifer price in NI last week increased by 4.4p/kg to 441.1p/kg. The overall average heifer price was rose by 3.9p/kg to 433.1p/kg;
- On the other hand, the R3 young bull price recorded an increase to the tune of 7.4p/kg to 430.5p/kg;
- The NI O3 cow price rose by 5.3p/kg to 371.2p/kg. The commission reports that the overall average cow price was up by 4.6p/kg to 344.3p/kg compared to the week prior to this.
Throughput
Prime cattle throughput last week amounted to 7,826 head, which was a decrease of 390 head from the previous week.
During this period, plants processed some 8,216 head, according to figures the LMC obtained.
This brings prime cattle throughput for May to 31,181 head, which means it is running 15% above the same period in 2021 when 27,139 prime cattle were processed locally.
Meanwhile, a total of 2,165 cows were slaughtered in NI last week, which brings the cow throughput for May to 8,333 head. This is an 18.6% increase on the same period last year.
Exports and imports
Imports of prime cattle from ROI for direct slaughter in NI last week amounted to 162 head, with 121 cows also imported.
No cattle were imported from GB for direct slaughter in local plants last week.
Meanwhile, a total of 262 cattle were exported from NI for direct slaughter in ROI last week, comprising 11 prime cattle, 245 cows, and six bulls.
Furthermore, no cattle made the journey to GB for direct slaughter.
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