Beef prices stay at record highs
Finished beef prices at abattoirs and auction marts remain exceptionally high, with tight supply and good retail demand.
Further support for sales of steaks and burgers at retail for barbecues is projected with a period of warmer weather forecast.
GB deadweight steers were up 55p/kg on the same week last year to average 493.9p/kg for the week ending 20 May, while heifers averaged 491.1p/kg.
Livestock marketing group Meadow Quality reported that some processors had eased their quotes slightly by 2-3p/kg, but overall GB prices remained above other prices on the Continent.
Cattle trade at auction markets also remains high, with prime cattle up overall for the week ending 23 May. Liveweight steers and heifers averaged 272.2p/kg and 283.9p/kg, respectively.
A “very firm cattle trade” was reported at Ludlow Market on 22 May, with steers averaging 293p/kg liveweight and heifers at 278p/kg.
Auctioneers say best-quality, butchers-grade cattle are selling especially well, but there is also good demand for well-fleshed cattle.
Charlie Reeve | Farmers Weekly
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