Beef Update
IFA livestock chairman Brendan Golden said prices in our key export markets continue to push on. Beef prices in the UK have increased by between 7c/kg and 12c/kg in the latest week reflecting the strength of demand for beef. He said cattle prices here continue to edge upwards as factories actively seek out cattle fit for slaughter with particularly strong demand for cows continuing. Brendan Golden said competition between factory agents for forward store and finished cattle and cows in the marts is giving a clear indication of prices that are available from factories when pushed. He said there can be up to 10c/kg of a difference in quoted and paid prices in and between factories and it is crucial farmers sell hard to continue the upward momentum in price and close the gap with prices in our key markets.
Beef Price Update 24/03/2022
Steer Base €4.70/4.85kg. Heifers €4.75/4.90kg. Higher deals and flat prices for larger and specialist lots. Y Bulls R/U €4.60/4.90Kg. Cows €4.00/4.60kg.
Supply Figures as Reported by DAFM – Week 11 (14.03.2022)
| Animal | Number | Change prev. wk. | % of total | YTD | YTD Change |
| Y Bulls | 1536 | ▼-1,054 | 6% | 36723 | ▲1,702 |
| Bull | 372 | ▼-193 | 1% | 5164 | ▲792 |
| Steer | 9140 | ▼-4,237 | 35% | 130055 | ▲6,809 |
| Cow | 5617 | ▼-2,492 | 21% | 80034 | ▲11,464 |
| Heifer | 7201 | ▼-3,129 | 27% | 112590 | ▲5,225 |
| Veal-V | 2530 | ▼-1,562 | 10% | 19600 | ▲3,194 |
| Veal-Z | 13 | ▼-39 | 0% | 484 | ▲8 |
| Total | 26409 | ▼-12,706 | 100% | 384650 | ▲29,194 |
Official Irish Prices as Reported by DAFM – Week 11 (14.03.2022)
| c/kg (Incl. VAT) | U3 | Changeprev wk | R3 | Changeprev wk | O3 | Changeprev wk | P+3 | Changeprev wk |
| Steers | 506 | ▲7 | 496 | ▲5 | 482 | ▲4 | 450 | ▲3 |
| Heifers | 512 | ▲5 | 499 | ▲3 | 492 | ▲5 | 441 | ▲2 |
| Y Bulls | 486 | ▲3 | 475 | ▲5 | 456 | ▲1 | 440 | ▲2 |
| Cows | 0 | ▲0 | 445 | ▲4 | 419 | ▲6 | 406 | ▲4 |
Official GB Prices as Reported by AHDB
| Steers | Steers | Heifers | Heifers | Y bull | Y bull | Cow | |
| p/kg | R3 | R4L | R3 | R4L | R3 | R4L | -O4L |
| 12.03.2022 | 418.1 | 419.6 | 419.5 | 420 | 408.6 | 405.8 | 334.1 |
| 19.03.2022 | 423.0 | 424.3 | 417.4 | 422.8 | 424.9 | 416.8 | 416.3 |
| Change | ▲5 | ▲5 | ▲3 | ▲5 | ▲8 | ▲8 | ▲13 |
| Price in c/kg(Incl VAT) | 538.2 | 539.8 | 537.9 | 540.6 | 529.7 | 526.5 | 441.6 |
Euro Price for the Most Recent Week (€/KG Deadweight excl. VAT)
| Country & Type | 14.03.2020 | 13.03.2021 | 12.03.2022 |
| EU + Y Bulls | € 3.62 | € 3.74 | € 4.88 |
| IE + Steers | € 3.69 | € 3.80 | € 4.65 |
| UK + Steers | € 3.85 | € 4.49 | € 4.98 |
Live Exports W/C 07.03.2022
Sheep Update
IFA Sheep committee chairman Kevin Comiskey said Ramadan and Easter demand for sheep meat is driving the trade. Despite factories attempts to hold back on significant price increases extremely tight supplies and strong farmer resistance to lower offered prices is forcing their hand.
Kevin Comiskey said hogget prices in NI and GB increased again over the past week.
He said the trade and the numbers of hoggets and cull ewes available justify stronger prices and farmers should keep an eye on mart sales where factory agents are paying more than what some factories are offering.
The IFA sheep chairman advised farmers to sell hard while moving hoggets that are fit.
Lamb Price Update 24/03/2022
Hogget €7.10/7.40/kg. Higher deals groups/larger lots. Spring lamb €7.60/8.00/kg Ewes €3.80/4.00/kg. Sell hard.
Supply Figures as Reported by DAFM – Week 11 (14.03.2022)
| Animal | Figure | Change | YTD | YTD Change |
| Lambs/Hoggets | 33222 | ▼-14,064 | 495670 | ▲48,739 |
| Spring Lambs | 554 | ▲547 | 561 | ▲561 |
| Ewes and Rams | 2308 | ▼-2,128 | 57821 | ▼-1,825 |
| Light Lambs | 1 | ▲0 | 25 | ▼-49 |
| TOTAL | 36085 | ▼-15,645 | 554077 | ▲47,426 |
Official Irish Prices as Reported by DAFM – Week 11 (14.03.2022)
| c/kg (Incl. VAT) | WK 11 | Change prev wk | 2021 | Change prev yr |
| National Avg Price | 701.64 | ▲13 | 727.41 | ▼-26 |
| YTD Avg | 679.73 | ▲2 | 630.93 | ▲49 |
Official GB Prices as Reported by AHDB
| R3L | Overall SQQ* | Type of lamb | |
| 12.03.2022 | 570.0 | 565.1 | Old season |
| 26.02.2022 | 570.4 | 566.9 | Old season |
| Change | ▲0 | ▲2 | |
| Price in c/kg (Incl VAT) | 725.7 | 721.3 |
