Irish Cattle & Sheep Trade & Prices w/e 24/03
Irish Cattle & Sheep Trade Prices – Week Ending 24 March 2024
The latest figures highlight steady performance in Irish cattle & sheep trade prices March 2024. Cattle throughput rose, while sheep supply stayed tight.
Cattle & Beef
During the week ending 24 March 2024, DAFM-approved plants processed 33,106 cattle. This brought year-to-date throughput to 430,700 head. That is a 3% increase (+11,783 head) compared with 418,817 cattle in the same period of 2023.
Prime cattle made up 305,811 head in the first 12 weeks, an increase of 2% (+9,154 head) year-on-year. The mix of slaughter has shifted. Fewer young bulls were processed, but higher steer and heifer throughput offset this decline. Cow throughput also remained strong, with 107,110 cows handled so far this year.
Prices held steady. Steers made €5.15–5.20/kg, while heifers achieved €5.25–5.30/kg. Young bulls under 24 months graded R sold for €5.20–5.30/kg.
The cow trade stayed firm despite higher throughput. Well-fleshed O-grade cows averaged €4.30/kg. Meanwhile, R-grade cows secured €4.50–4.60/kg. P-grade cows varied widely in value depending on weight and quality.
The average R3 steer price rose slightly to €5.22/kg, just below last year’s figure of €5.28/kg.
EU & UK Cattle Prices
In Europe, R3 young bull prices averaged €5.06/kg in late March, 9c lower than the same week in 2023. In Great Britain, the average R3 steer eased to €5.73/kg (approx. £4.90/kg). Even so, firm demand and limited supply supported overall trade.
Sheep Trade & Prices
Hogget quotes strengthened again. Base prices reached 800–820c/kg plus QA bonus, with some producers securing more through negotiation. Tighter supplies across Europe and stronger seasonal demand ahead of Ramadan and Easter added momentum.
Lamb demand also improved in domestic and export markets. However, lamb remains the most exposed protein to inflation-driven changes in consumer spending.
Irish deadweight sheep prices climbed to 845c/kg, a jump of 30c from the week before. In the same week of 2023, the average was €6.45/kg. In Great Britain, spring lamb stood at 978c/kg (down 4c). Northern Ireland recorded 813c/kg, up 3c.
Southern Hemisphere prices stayed lower, with Australia at 398c/kg and New Zealand at 342c/kg. These levels keep their products highly competitive in the EU market despite transport costs.
The combination of strong demand and tight availability pushed the sheep trade to record levels in early 2024.
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