Prices Lift as Supplies Tighten
UK - Tighter supplies helped to boost the cattle trade to higher levels recently as slaughter rates dipped to their lowest point this year.
25 April 2008
1 minute read
But retail meat prices in Europe are lagging behind those of other farm produce, reports the FramersGuardian
They say that AHDB Meat Services economics department figures show the domestic overall deadweight average for prime cattle has broken through the 250p per kg mark, levelling at 250.7p per kg (R4L 255p) with the largest week-on-week price rise recorded for young bulls.
A higher proportion of bull carcases were graded at R4L or better, which also helped lift the price by nearly 5p on the week to level at 238p per kg.
In the live markets, prices reported from GB auctions in the week ended April 16 also firmed, with the average for all prime cattle at 143.8p per kg. Steers averaged 144.7p per kg and heifers 145.8p per kg, both up more than 4p on the previous week. Demand for cull cows through the ring also remains strong, says AHDB with suckler bred cows averaging 107.6p per kg, up 2p on the week.
Even dairy cull cow prices have increased by more than 60 per cent in the first quarter of this year, reaching a recent record of just under 85p/kg last month.
TheCattleSite News Desk
