The weak beef trade across the EU continued in the week ending 29 September and while Irish prices are at the lower end, the reality is that 400c/kg isn’t available anywhere.

Sweden came closest at the equivalent of 395c/kg for R3 young bulls, while the Irish price on R3 young bulls was just 328c/kg and R3 steers were making 348c/kg on average, still below the EU average young bull price of 352c/kg.

Farmers in Britain were getting the equivalent of 356c/kg on R3 young bulls, rising to 372c/kg equivalent on R3 steers. The French R3 young bull price was 375c/kg on average, while Italy has weakened over recent weeks and is now on 368c/kg. In Germany, the R3 young bull average was 368c/kg, while Spain was on 343c/kg.

The EU beef price is now close to prices of exported beef from the main exporting countries. Uruguay is highest at the present on the equivalent of 370c/kg, while the USA is on the equivalent of 332c/kg for cattle similar to R3 steers in Europe ,with Australia just 1c/kg back on 331c/kg. Brazil is the weakest on 216c/kg, while Argentina is on 226c/kg.

Heifers and cows

The heifer trade across the EU remains a few cent per kilo ahead of steers and young bulls.

The EU average R3 heifer price is 365c/kg, 7c/kg better than the Irish average of 358c/kg, while Britain was on the equivalent of 372c/kg.

Sweden and France are tops of R3 heifers on 388c/kg and 387c/kg respectively, while Italy is back at 364c/kg. Spain is on 365c/kg, while Germany is on 356c/kg for R3 heifers.

Irish O3 cows are ahead of the EU average on 283c/kg compared with 280c/kg for the EU. Sweden leads the way on the equivalent of 367c/kg, while France is next best on 314c/kg for O3 cows. Britain is at the EU average of 280c/kg equivalent for O3 cows, while Germany is on 278c/kg, Italy is on 268c/kg and Spain is lowest at 260c/kg for O3 cows.