Irish Pig Prices on the Rise Amid Tight Supplies

Deadweight pig prices in Ireland are climbing due to relatively tight supplies for slaughter. Last week, prices increased by 4c/kg, with producers reporting rates ranging from €2.10 to €2.14/kg from processors.

The average price for grade E pig prices in Ireland for the week ending 8th March 2025 was €2.02/kg excluding VAT. This is 1.8% lower than the same week last year, when the price was €1.98/kg.

The EU average price for grade E carcass for the same week was €1.81/kg excluding VAT, showing a slight increase from the previous week but still 14% lower than the same month last year.

Throughput and Demand

While throughput has improved in the last quarter, demand continues to outpace supplies. Total throughput year-to-date is 628,256, slightly behind the corresponding period in 2024. For the week ending 8th March, the throughput was 64,342, including 1,929 sows.

Bord Bia

Cattle & Beef Market Update

With cattle availability for processing remaining tight across much of Europe and the UK, the deadweight cattle trade has continued to perform strongly. The tightness in beef availability combined with stable demand for beef in key export markets has contributed to the recent uplifts in the deadweight beef trade.

Quotes from major processors for prime cattle have continued to trend upward, with the balance between supply and demand currently in favour of producers. Base quotes for steers are in the region of €6.80-€6.90/kg, while quotes for 8th March 2025 range around €7.00-€7.10/kg. Reports have indicated higher prices have been negotiated with producer groups and factories offering increased bonuses. R grading young bulls under 24 months of age are steady, generally working off a base of €7.10-€7.20/kg.

The cow trade also remains very strong but has taken a further jump this week with strong demand for well-fleshed cows in particular. R grading cows are being quoted at €6.80/kg, while quotes for O grading cows range from €6.50-€6.60/kg depending on quality and carcase weight. Meanwhile, factories are quoting for well-covered P grading cows generally starting at €6.25-€6.30/kg with room for negotiation.

For the week ending 2nd March 2025, the Irish R3 steer price increased by 13c/kg to €6.61/kg, while the R3 heifer price increased by 15c/kg to €6.62/kg. Irish prices continue to trend higher than the EU average, although in the last few weeks prices have recorded similar levels of increase across the trading bloc as cattle supplies tighten.

The average R3 young bull price in the EU last week was €6.22/kg, up 6c/kg from the previous week. 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 1c/kg to €7.61/kg. Note that reported prices exclude VAT but include all bonus payments such as in-spec bonus, breed-based producer groups, etc.

Throughput:

There were 38,528 cattle processed in DAFM approved plants last week, an increase of just over 1,600 head from the same week in 2024. Total cattle throughput for the first 10 weeks of the year is on par with 2024 levels at 363,090 head.

However, cattle availability for slaughter is expected to contract in the weeks ahead. A strong live export trade and the processing of cattle at younger ages and lighter carcase weights in quarter 4 of 2024 have contributed to a contraction in cattle numbers of slaughter age currently on farms. Average carcase weights have continued to trend below previous years, and this 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.

Bord Bia

Cattle Market

Prime cattle prices have shown renewed strength due to a slowdown in supply. The overall steer price increased by 13p to average 655p/kg, while heifer prices also grew by 13p to average 652p/kg. Steers achieving R4L specification averaged 667p/kg, up 14p on the week, and R4L heifers averaged 663p/kg, up 12p on the week. The overall young bull price rose by nearly 11p to average 634p/kg.

Deadweight cow prices showed more muted growth, with the overall average price up 1p from the previous week to 486p/kg. This marks the third consecutive week of slowed price growth, raising the question of whether cow prices have reached their peak, up £1.38/kg compared to this time last year.

GB prime cattle slaughter plateaued in the week ending 8 March, with an estimated kill of 35,900 head, stable from the previous week. An increase in heifer kill outweighed reductions in steers. Meanwhile, cow slaughter fell further, down 700 head to an estimated 9,100 animals.

Beef demand remains strong, with recent retail figures showing annual gains in volume sales, contributing to spend growth over the past 12-week period. Mince, stewing, and burgers & grills are particularly in growth, while the roasting category is showing annual losses.

Sheep Market

For the week ending 8 March, the GB deadweight old season lamb SQQ averaged 739p/kg, up 1p from the previous week. This measure is 5p below where it was at the same point a year ago, marking the first time it has been lower year-on-year since July 2023.

At this point last year, prices were rallying due to supply constraints, export growth, and the proximity of Ramadan and Easter pushing demand. Continued tight supply and strong demand through the end of 2024 meant the SQQ started 2025 significantly above its position the previous year (+90p).

Since the start of the year, the measure has moved largely sideways, with lower supply balanced by weaker domestic demand. Prices from Rungis wholesale market suggest a balanced export market picture overall, although prices appear to have picked up into March. Official export figures for January are awaited.

Estimated clean sheep slaughter rose further to total 236,200 head for the week, up 3,300 head from the previous week. This was 4% above the estimated kill for the same week a year ago.

Original story: AHDB

Warwickshire Abattoir Under Investigation Following Allegations of Animal Welfare Violations

Authorities are investigating serious allegations raised in a recent media article regarding an abattoir in Warwickshire. The claims have prompted a thorough investigation by local law enforcement and relevant agencies.

Detective Chief Inspector David Andrews stated, “Following our visit on Monday 3 March, we are working with partners including the Home Office and Food Standards Agency to take appropriate action regarding the issues identified. Since our visit, and in light of the footage shared by the Independent, which we believe was filmed in July 2024, we can confirm that we have recorded a suspected offence of unnecessary suffering to a protected animal under animal welfare legislation.”

DCI Andrews emphasised that while the investigation into animal welfare is underway, further details cannot be disclosed to avoid jeopardising any future proceedings.

Inspector Andi Gibbons from the North Warwickshire Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) reassured the community, stating, “Our safer neighbourhood officers will continue to engage with the community and we wish to reassure you that these matters are being dealt with. If you do have concerns, please reach out to our team.”

Residents can find their local SNT, their priorities, and contact information by typing their postcode into the interactive map on the Warwickshire Police website. Additionally, regular updates about local policing can be received by signing up to the Warwickshire Connected community messaging service.

Warwickshire Police

 

Beef Market Update: Shortages Forecast in Irish Cattle Numbers

Key Points:

• Following a strong year for beef production, Irish cattle slaughter is forecast to fall by 5% in 2025 as supplies tighten.
• A mixed future is anticipated for Irish exports as European live export policy evolves.
• In the week of 24 February, the price differential between GB and Irish beef stood at 100.9p/kg, a historically wide position.

Strong Production in 2024 but Declines on Horizon

2024 was a robust year for Irish beef production, with export demand bolstering markets and driving gains in farmgate prices. Irish cattle slaughter (excluding calves) grew by 3% year-on-year to reach 1.88 million head, driven largely by heifers and cows. Coupled with a reduction in average weights, this resulted in Irish beef production increasing by 1% to 603,000 tonnes for the year. Average cattle weights have reduced over the past few years, influenced by a growing proportion of dairy-beef cattle coming to market.

For 2025, Bord Bia forecasts that Irish cattle slaughter will decrease by 5% to 1.72 million head, an 87,000 head reduction compared to last year. Within this, prime cattle slaughter is forecast to fall by 5% to 1.24 million head.

Indeed, cattle population figures suggest supplies will further tighten in 2026, with registrations of calves for beef production in Ireland (excluding dairy heifers) down a further 2% in 2024. The drivers for this decrease in numbers appear to be numerous, including the prolonged winter of 2023-24, policy changes around nitrogen management regulations, and an aging agricultural workforce.

Export Growth in 2024 for Beef and Live Cattle

Growth in exports was a key driver of the Irish market in 2024, both for beef and live animals, with Bord Bia estimating the total value of Irish primary beef exports to have increased by 6% to €2.8 billion in 2024.

Total Irish beef export volumes (including fresh, frozen, and processed) rose by 4% year-on-year to 441,000 tonnes in 2024, driven largely by increased shipments to continental EU and the UK amid supply shortages. The strength of the UK market contributed to a favourable price differential for Irish products, increasing price competitiveness with their UK counterparts. UK import volumes of Irish beef rose by 11% in 2024. Meanwhile, Irish live cattle exports rose by 17% in 2024 to just under 379,000 head, with calves accounting for 56% of this trade. Weanling and store cattle were the key drivers of increased live trade, driven by European dairy and beef herd reductions. Tighter European cattle numbers and disease restrictions also contributed to strong growth in Irish live exports to North Africa.

Moving forward, Irish live exports, especially those of veal calves, face an uncertain future as proposed changes to EU transport legislation will add further cost and administrative requirements to live animal exports. Significantly, reports indicate that the Netherlands will no longer be a viable destination for Irish calves after 2025 as the Dutch Veal forward plan is implemented with strict IBR and husbandry requirements for exporting countries. Bord Bia reports that in 2024 calf exports totalled around 200,000 head, with Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands identified as key markets.

Original story:  AHDB

 

Illegal Meat Floods UK High Streets Amid Post-Brexit Border Check Failures

Efforts to prevent potentially disease-ridden meat from entering the UK are being undermined by post-Brexit border checks, according to a senior health official.

Lucy Manzano, head of the Dover Port Health Authority, has raised concerns that illegal meat, which has bypassed proper health checks, is now available on “most high streets” across the country.

Recent outbreaks of deadly animal diseases in Europe have heightened fears among health authorities, Whitehall officials, and the farming industry about the potential threat to the UK. Despite these concerns, the government maintains that the current system of checks is effective and insists it will never “waver in its duty to support the UK’s biosecurity.”

Under the post-Brexit system, commercial vehicle checks are not conducted at Dover itself. Instead, drivers are required to travel 22 miles (35km) to a border control post at Sevington. Critics argue that many lorries are failing to show up for these checks due to a lack of enforcement.

The Environment Select Committee in Parliament has launched an inquiry to assess the effectiveness of the system. Ms Manzano told MPs that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has been overstating the robustness of the controls in place. She stated, “Defra have continually stated that there are robust controls in place. There are not. They don’t exist.”

Ms Manzano added that Defra has not provided any confirmation of how food would be controlled from the point it arrives to the inspection facility 22 miles away. She presented evidence to the government demonstrating that the system intended to safeguard the country from biosecurity threats is failing.

Defra recently refused to answer a Freedom of Information request from the BBC’s Countryfile programme, which sought data on the number of vehicles failing to turn up for checks at Sevington. The department claimed that releasing such information could inadvertently aid criminals looking for weak points in the UK’s border controls.

Ms Manzano claimed that illegal meat has become more commonplace in high street shops, making it increasingly difficult for consumers to identify whether the products they are purchasing have undergone proper health checks.

Despite these allegations, Defra maintains that the post-Brexit checks are functioning as intended. Earlier this week, figures revealed that nearly 100 tonnes of illegal meat were seized at the Port of Dover last year. Defra reiterated its stance, stating, “It is unequivocal that importing illegal meat products is unacceptable – which is why suspected products are routinely checked at the border to ensure they don’t reach our shores.”

Original story: BBC News

Innovative Meat Flake Idea Wins Top Prize in Meat Industry Competition

An innovative idea for transforming mechanically deboned meat into a meat flake for seasoning has won the top prize in the Meat Industry Association’s first-ever Dragon’s Den competition.

Renyu Zhang, a senior scientist with AgResearch, was named the winner of the inaugural contest, which challenged New Zealanders to develop groundbreaking ideas to advance the country’s red meat processing industry.

Zhang’s “umamification” plan involves a novel process to transform lower-value mechanically deboned meat into a meat flake with high umami (savoury flavour). This product would be stable at room temperature and could be used as a protein enhancer and snack food.

Out of 42 entries, Zhang emerged victorious, beating four other finalists to secure a prize of up to $10,000 to develop a business case and progress the idea into a research project.

Sirma Karapeeva, chief executive of the Meat Industry Association, praised the high calibre of entries, noting that selecting the five finalists and the ultimate winner was challenging. She highlighted the competition’s aim to recognise transformative ideas and provide resources to bring them to life, aligning with the Government’s goal of doubling export value.

Karapeeva said Zhang’s idea stood out for its innovative process and the potential for global industry interest. Zhang expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to take his project to the next stage, saying, “I’m honoured to win this inaugural Dragon’s Den event, and grateful to MIA for this opportunity.”

Original story: NZ Herald