Impending tightening of Irish beef cattle supply expected

Current Irish “cattle population data suggests lower numbers of cattle of slaughter age towards the end of 2024 and into 2025” with an “impending tightening of [Irish beef cattle] supply” expected. This is according to Hybu Cig Cymru-Meat Promotion Wales’ (HCC’s) senior market intelligence and research and development officer, Elizabeth Swancott. In an update on the HCC website on Tuesday, August 13, the HCC officer said: “We are seeing a complex blend of factors influencing the beef marketplace in the first five months of this year.” She said that “solid consumer positivity” in the UK, coupled with limitations on supply “were likely to continue to help beef prices in the UK”. The report noted that of the 99,900t of beef imported to Great Britain (GB) this year, 77% came from Ireland, representing an 18% Irish product increase year-on-year for the first five months of 2024. Swancott outlined that GB steer deadweight price strengthened week-on-week throughout July but said that ...