Beef Prices Surge: Factory Quotes Rise by 5c/kg This Week

Factory Quotes and Beef Prices

This week, beef prices in factories increased by 5c/kg. Strong demand from key markets supports these price rises. Concerns about the availability of prime cattle over the next four to five months add to the situation.

Bord Bia predicts a decrease in the prime cattle kill by 46,000 head in 2025. The cow kill is expected to drop by 10,000 head. The overall cattle kill for 2025 is projected at around 1.69 million head, which is 4% lower than the forecast for 2024.

Current Prices for Heifers and Steers

Heifers are priced at €5.35-5.40/kg on the grid. Steers are quoted at €5.30-5.35/kg. A standard R-3-grade heifer weighing 320kg could reach €5.60/kg, totaling around €1,792 before any additional bonuses.

In late November last year, heifers were priced at €4.85/kg and steers at €4.80/kg. This indicates a rise of about 55c/kg compared to last year.

Cow Prices

U grade cows are priced up to €5.30/kg, while R grade cows range from €5.05 to €5.10/kg. O grade cows have a price of €4.80/kg, and P grade cows are at €4.70/kg.

Prices vary significantly between grades and factories. Some factories offer better prices for R and U grade cows, while others may prefer O and P grades. Younger cows may also fetch higher prices.

Prices for Bulls

Under-24-month bulls are quoted at up to €5.60/kg for U grades. R grades are at €5.50/kg. Prices for O grade bulls range from €5.30 to €5.40/kg, while P grade bulls are priced at €5.20/kg. Under-16-month bulls are priced at €5.35/kg.