Factories Must Stop Undermining Beef Markets

IFA Livestock Chair Declan Hanrahan said increasing demand for beef and tightening of supplies in our key markets must be reflected in stronger beef prices.

“Recent promotions of beef in the UK market have gone very well, with stronger orders from the UK market as a result.  Tightening of supplies in this market has steadied UK and NI beef prices considerably, with only very marginal declines in beef price in recent weeks,” he said.

Declan Hanrahan said this is completely at odds with the race to the bottom approach by our factories.

“The turnaround in market conditions must now be reflected in higher beef prices here.  Farmers should push back strongly on the negativity from factories and their agents. Market conditions are improving, demand for cattle is increasing as prices stabilise in the key UK market and factories must reflect this,” he said.

Declan Hanrahan said factories and Bord Bia have a serious and pressing job of work to do to return beef prices to viable levels.

He said we are continually told by Bord Bia about the need for standards and ever higher standards to maintain markets.  Yet as soon as the first wave of Southern hemisphere beef entered the UK market, we were left high and dry with our standards as beef from Brazil, New Zealand and Australia took our place.

“Bord Bia were quick out of the blocks claiming credit for the increased export value of beef last year when we hit record prices, but that is in the past.  What we need now is our food marketing agency to step up with a significant promotional campaign that will win back customers and drive volume sales in key, high-value markets on our doorstep,” he concluded.