Beef prices still under pressure
Beef prices still under pressure
BEEF prices remain under pressure, particularly for cattle that fall out of retail specification and have yet to be FABBL registered.
The average cattle market price closed on Monday at 86.9p/kg, down nearly 1p on the week. Heavy steers and heavy heifers were the worst hit, being pegged back by 1.9p/kg and 1.2p/kg, respectively.
Market reports suggest cheap imports are the main bugbear, prompting auctioneers to ask the government for tighter controls on beef labelling.
John Uffold, of McCartneys market at Ludlow, says action to tighten labelling laws on the origin of meat may make manufacturers think twice about using dumped beef in their products.
Most auctioneers feel the government is dealing in double standards, having imposed tight controls on the UK meat processing industry without taking action against cheap imports that dont meet the same standards.
Meanwhile, any slack in supply is being filled by cheap beef – mainly from Germanys stricken beef market – which fulfils demand, he says.
"The feeling in the trade is that until this is stopped and the market recovers in Germany, then it will remain under pressure."
Poorer stock of the 620kg, O+ grade ilk are facing the most competition, he says. No bids are forthcoming, knocking the price for better cattle. So there is less support for R grade bullocks, too. *