Irish Cattle Trade & Prices Update: Latest Figures and Trends

Throughput

There were 38,791 cattle processed in DAFM approved plants last week, a reduction of just over 1,500 head from the previous week. This uplift is primarily due to an increase in the cow kill when compared to the previous week.

Prime cattle throughput YTD is currently on par with the same period last year at 1,559,351 head although a notable tightening in prime cattle availability is expected as we move into the final quarter of the year. A contraction in cattle numbers on the ground and a lively export trade have contributed to this outlook with numbers expected to remain tight for much of 2025.

Average carcase weights also continue to trend below previous years with the combination of a challenging grass growing season and a growing dairy influence on the prime cattle kill playing a role in the decline. The downward trend in average carcase weights is expected to continue in the short to medium term with calf registrations to suckler cows continuing to decline, while the number of beef sired calves produced from the dairy herd continues to increase.

Prices

Starting quotes for heifers are in the region of €5.20/kg this week with similar room for negotiation being reported. The trade for young bulls was also described as steady, with prices of between €5.35/kg and €5.40/kg on-offer for R grading animals under 24 months of age.

The cow trade remains relatively steady, with well-fleshed O+ grading suckler cows being offered prices of €4.65-4.75/kg, while prices for O grading dairy cows generally range from €4.55-4.65/kg.

A significant proportion of the cow kill have achieved a conformation score of P in recent months and the prices available for these animals vary significantly based on grade, weight and quality.

For the week ending 10th November 2024, the average price paid by Irish beef processors for R3 increased slightly by 6c/kg to be at €5.20/kg. This remained 60c/kg ahead the corresponding week in 2023 when the R3 steer price was €4.60/kg. Note that reported prices exclude VAT but include all bonus payments such as in-spec bonus, breed-based producer groups etc.

EU and UK prices

Across the EU, the average reported price for R3 grading young bulls was €5.44//kg (excluding VAT) for the week ending 10th November, 2024. This is 49c higher than Week 45 of last year when prices averaged €4.89/kg for this category.

In the UK, tighter cattle supplies and firm demand have meant deadweight beef prices have continued to firm. This week the average UK R3 steer price increased by 3c/kg to €6.16/kg.

Bord Bia

Record Year for Australian Meat Exports

Australian beef exports in October reached 130,049 tonnes, breaking the record for the most beef exported in a single month for the second time this year. Goatmeat exports also reached record-breaking numbers, with lamb and mutton recording very high export numbers. Australian red meat exports are set to break records across all categories in 2024.

Beef exports

Exports of beef rose 24% from last year to 130,049 tonnes. This is the largest export volume in a single month on record, beating the previous record set in July.

The United States (US) was the largest market for Australian beef for the month, with exports rising 64% year-on-year to 45,338 tonnes. This is the second-highest volume of beef exported to the US in a single month. While frozen exports made up the majority of beef exported, chilled exports saw an 88% rise year-on-year to 11,572 tonnes, the highest chilled volume to the US on record.

After the US, South Korea was the second largest market for Australian beef and exports rose 13% year-on-year to 19,733 tonnes. The largest increase in exports came from Indonesia; 11,026 tonnes were exported to Indonesia, 95% more than October last year

So far this year, 1.1 million tonnes of beef has been exported, the highest year-to-October figure on record. As forecast in the latest Cattle Projections, Australian beef is well positioned to end the year with 2024 volumes breaking the previous record (set in 2014).

Lamb exports

Exports of lamb fell 13% year-on-year to 26,673 tonnes in October. This was largely due to a 38% year-on-year decline in exports to China. Despite the decline in exports to China, it remained the second-largest market for lamb over the month.

The largest market for the month was the US, where exports lifted 18% year-on-year to 6,681 tonnes. This is following the trend observed throughout the year; exports to the US year-to-date have lifted 32% to 71,943 tonnes.

In the year-to-October, lamb exports have lifted 14% from 2023 levels to 303,854 tonnes. This indicates that 2024 is likely to be a record year for lamb exports.

Mutton exports

Exports of mutton rose 35% year-on-year to 27,217 tonnes in October, the largest monthly figure since 1994. China remained the largest market, accounting for over half of exports with a total of 14,613 tonnes (43% above October 2023). The largest rise in exports came from Malaysia, where exports lifted 87% year-on-year to 3,164 tonnes, while exports to the US rose 53% year-on-year to 2,040 tonnes.

Goatmeat exports

Exports of goatmeat rose 48% year-on-year to 5,772 tonnes, the single largest monthly export volume recorded. The largest market for goatmeat was the US, with exports rising 43% year-on-year to 2,827 tonnes, making up over half of the month’s total goatmeat exports. The majority of the remainder of goatmeat went to South Korea and China.

For the year, exports of goatmeat are already higher than the previous calendar year record at 42,004 tonnes year-to-October compared to 35,780 tonnes for the previous record year of 2014.

Attribute content to: Tim Jackson, MLA Global Supply Analyst

MLA

Smithfield Market Move Paused

The City of London Corporation has halted its current plan to move Smithfield and Billingsgate markets to a new purpose-built site in Dagenham.

While the move has not been cancelled altogether, the initial plan has been stopped to review the scheme and ensure its financial sustainability[1].

The relocation of these historic markets was announced in 2022 as part of a “major regeneration programme” by the governing body. The move aimed to enable Smithfield to house new cultural and commercial offerings, including the London Museum, while the land occupied by Billingsgate in Poplar was expected to be used for new homes[1].

The City of London Corporation had previously estimated that the new market would bring 2,700 new jobs to Barking and Dagenham and generate around £14.5bn for the UK economy by 2049, with an investment of almost £1bn[1].

However, due to rising project costs, including inflation and the increasing cost of construction, the move has become unaffordable[1].

The City of London Corporation is now working closely with traders to identify suitable new sites and ensure their continued success. Traders will continue their operations at Smithfield and Billingsgate until at least 2028, ensuring a gradual transition period with ample time for planning and collaboration on the next steps[1]

References

[1] City of London Corporation ends markets’ move to Dagenham as traders …

Ben Lynch | BBC News

Tönnies Group Rebrands as Premium Food Group to Reflect Broader Food Manufacturing Focus

German meat producer Tönnies Group will rebrand as Premium Food Group starting next year.

This change reflects the company’s evolution from a meat processor to a broader food manufacturer.

The Tönnies brand will now be exclusively associated with the meat production business unit, while the new Premium Food Group name will represent the entire company.

The rebranding will include replacing the Tönnies signage on the cold storage facility at the company’s headquarters in Rheda-Wiedenbrück with the new PFG logo.

Tönnies shareholder Maximilian Tönnies explained that this structural transformation process began years ago and aims to position the company for the future. He emphasized that the goal is to enable business areas to make decisions faster and act more independently, with each area operating as its own company.

Original story by Just Food

Russian Firm Boosts Meat Exports

Damate Group, Russia’s leading turkey meat producer, has reported a significant increase in its exports for the first nine months of 2024.

The company exported 8,300 tonnes of turkey and duck meat, which is double the amount exported in the same period last year.

Of this, turkey meat exports stood at 8,000 tonnes, with 6,300 tonnes coming from the Penza region and 1,700 tonnes from the Rostov region.

Damate has been exporting turkey to China since 2019, initially from the Penza region and later from the Rostov region starting at the end of 2023. Exports of duck meat from the Rostov region began at the start of 2024. China remains a key export market for Damate Group, which was the first Russian company to receive permission to export products to that country.

The company began developing its export business in 2015 and currently holds permits for deliveries to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries and another 34 countries worldwide.

In 2023, Damate increased turkey meat production by 10%, reaching 237,000 tonnes in slaughter weight.

Interfax

Pickstock’s Scottish Expansion Approved Without Environmental Impact Assessment

Pickstock’s Scottish Expansion Moves Forward Without Environmental Impact Assessment

The English meat processing firm Pickstock has received approval to proceed with its multi-million pound expansion into Scotland without the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The Shropshire-based company plans to construct an abattoir near the A74(M) close to Ecclefechan in Dumfries and Galloway.

Despite local villagers’ concerns and a request for the Scottish government to review the council’s decision, the Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Directorate (PARD) concluded that the issues raised did not justify overturning the council’s stance. Consequently, a study of the potential environmental effects is not required.

Pickstock announced its plans for the new facility earlier this year, highlighting that the development would create up to 60 full-time jobs and reduce travel time for animals currently transported to its Telford facility.

Local residents had voiced worries about the “likely significant effects” on light pollution, flooding, traffic, and potential “human health impacts” of the proposals. However, the Scottish government determined that with the proposed mitigation measures, the development would not have “significant adverse effects” on the environment.

Read the original story at BBC News

Dawn Meats Secures Multimillion-Euro Contract as South Korea Opens Market to Irish Beef

Dawn Meats has celebrated the opening of the South Korean market to Irish beef for the first time this week, announcing a significant initial multimillion-euro contract for monthly shipments with a leading South Korean company.

This marks a major milestone for the company and the Irish beef industry.

Two Dawn Meats plants, located in Grannagh, Co Waterford, and Charleville, Co Cork, are among seven Irish plants that have received approval to supply beef cuts and offal to the South Korean market. Other approved suppliers include rivals Kepak, ABP Slaney Meats, and Liffey Meats.

Dawn Meats already has a presence in other markets in the region, including the Philippines and Japan, further solidifying its position as a key player in the global beef industry.

Original story by The Irish Times

Irish Sheep Trade & Prices: Supply, Demand, and Stability

Quotes

Base quotes from the major processors have improved slightly this week with €7.30/kg – €7.55/kg for well finished lambs (+QA bonus) on offer. With well fleshed lambs in demand, some major processors have also increased paid carcass weight limits, with all main plants paying for a 23kg carcass.

Relatively tight lamb supplies combined with some stability in demand from the domestic and export markets have contributed to this firming of the trade all year. Tighter lamb supplies are also a feature in other key lamb producing regions of Europe and the UK with the latest Eurostat figures indicating a contraction in breeding flock numbers in many regions. The Irish ewe flock contracted by 3.7 per cent in the December 2023 census versus December 2022 levels. This decline in the ewe flock of 107,000 head is one factor contributing to the tightness in supplies currently.

Prices

Last weeks reported deadweight price increased by 15c/kg to €7.31/kg, reflective of the continuing improvement recorded in quoted prices from the major lamb processors. In the corresponding week in 2023 the reported deadweight price was €6.26/kg. The deadweight trade has also improved across the UK regions.

Reported spring lamb prices in mainland GB were the equivalent of €7.43/kg last week (0c/kg) while in Northern Ireland there was a notable improvement in the trade to be €7.15/kg (+1c/kg).

Relatively tight supplies of lamb for slaughter in Northern Ireland combined with competition from the live export trade to both mainland GB and ROI contributed to this firming in the trade.

Southern Hemisphere prices remain well below European prices however they have improved significantly over the last few weeks, narrowing the price differential with the EU. With a lead time on product shipments this recent improvement in deadweight prices should impact their competitiveness on EU markets in the medium to longer term. Prices this week took a jump and are at €5.21/kg and €4.38/kg for Australia and New Zealand respectively increasing by 21c/kg and 3c/kg after a period of mostly week on week increases for the past 15 weeks.

Throughput

There was a decrease in the total sheep kill in DAFM approved plants last week to 44,465 head, compared to 58,188 the same week in 2023. Tighter supplies has been a feature of the 2024 lamb season to date with a smaller lamb crop, a difficult lambing and changeable grass growing conditions all impacting lamb availability for processing. Total TYD slaughter is down 9% on 2023 to total 2,140,618 head.

Bord Bia

Irish Cattle Trade & Prices Update: Throughput and Outlook

Irish Cattle Trade & Prices Update: Throughput and Outlook

Throughput

There were 39,969 cattle processed in DAFM approved plants last week, a slight reduction of just over 500 head from the previous week. This uplift is primarily due to an increase in the cow kill when compared to the previous week.

Prime cattle throughput YTD is currently on par with the same period last year at 1,080,480 head although a notable tightening in prime cattle availability is expected as we move into the final quarter of the year. A contraction in cattle numbers on the ground and a lively export trade have contributed to this outlook with numbers expected to remain tight for much of 2025.

Prices

There was a lift in the steady base quotes at Irish meat plants this week in response to tighter supplies and an expected increase in retail and foodservice demand for the Christmas period. In general, producers were offered a base price of €5.10/kg for steers with reports of up to €5.20/kg available. Starting quotes for heifers are in the region of €5.20/kg this week with similar room for negotiation being reported. The trade for young bulls was also described as steady, with prices of between €5.35/kg and €5.40/kg on-offer for R grading animals under 24 months of age.

The cow trade remains relatively steady, with well-fleshed O+ grading suckler cows being offered prices of €4.65-4.75/kg, while prices for O grading dairy cows generally range from €4.55-4.65/kg. A significant proportion of the cow kill have achieved a conformation score of P in recent months and the prices available for these animals vary significantly based on grade, weight and quality.

For the week ending 27th October 2024, the average price paid by Irish beef processors for R3 increased slightly by 5c/kg to be at €5.12/kg. This remained 54c/kg ahead the corresponding week in 2023 when the R3 steer price was €4.58/kg. Note that reported prices exclude VAT but include all bonus payments such as in-spec bonus, breed-based producer groups etc.

EU and UK prices:

Across the EU, the average reported price for R3 grading young bulls was €5.38//kg (excluding VAT) for the week ending 27th October, 2024. This is 49c higher than week 43 of last year when prices averaged €4.89/kg for this category.

In the UK, tighter cattle supplies and firm demand have meant deadweight beef prices have continued to firm. This week the average UK R3 steer price increased by 3c/kg to €6.16/kg.

Bord Bia

Freshness Sealed: The Power of Antimicrobial Packaging

As the food industry seeks ever-more efficient ways to extend product shelf life and ensure safety, antimicrobial packaging is emerging as a promising solution. This cutting-edge technology utilizes materials that actively reduce or inhibit the growth of microorganisms, helping keep meat and other perishable products fresher for longer.

Researchers are exploring various materials and compounds in antimicrobial packaging, and their findings are exciting. One notable development involves chitosan, a naturally occurring biopolymer derived from the shells of crustaceans, combined with nano-silica particles. Chitosan has already demonstrated impressive results in preserving the quality of fruits, slowing microbial growth and extending shelf life without compromising taste or texture. Now, scientists believe that this material could have similar benefits for meat products.

Studies on fruits have shown that chitosan, when integrated with nano-silica, can significantly delay spoilage by creating a barrier against bacteria and other microorganisms. This research suggests that chitosan-based antimicrobial packaging could help the meat industry tackle some of its greatest challenges, such as spoilage and foodborne illnesses.

The introduction of antimicrobial packaging could be particularly transformative for the meat sector, which faces strict regulations and high demand for quality and freshness. By reducing the microbial load on meat products, this technology has the potential to extend shelf life considerably, providing benefits across the supply chain—from producers and retailers to consumers.

In addition to chitosan, scientists are investigating other antimicrobial agents, such as essential oils and bioactive compounds, for packaging applications. These could work in combination with advanced materials like nano-silica, which enhances the durability and effectiveness of the packaging.

With further research and regulatory approval, antimicrobial packaging could soon becomAntimicrobial Packaging: Advancements in Meat Preservation e a mainstay in the meat industry, contributing to longer shelf life, safer products, and reduced waste. As demand for fresh, high-quality meat continues to grow, antimicrobial packaging may be the key to meeting these needs while supporting sustainable practices in food preservation.