Martin Coughlan

4 days ago | independent.ie | Martin Coughlan

This reverses the gains made over the last month; the processors claim that the market can no longer support that level, with a fall in supermarket demand. Key to this downturn is what is happening in the UK, and the fact Irish beef prices are now far above the EU average. Across the water, pressure is being applied by consumer resistance to increased retail prices, and rising numbers of short-keep stock, including young bulls.

4 days ago | independent.ie | Martin Coughlan

What falling store numbers could mean for prices in the autumn and beyondMarts‘What continental, Hereford and Angus stores that were available from 400-600kg last week outperformed their lighter and heavier comrades’. Photo: Roger JonesStore numbers are tight in a lot of areas. Overall mart numbers continue to fall in many sales yards, with others only bolstered by increased supplies of forward and beef types.

4 days ago | independent.ie | Martin Coughlan

Latest round of lamb price cuts slammed as ‘highly irresponsible’Spring lamb and hogget back 20c/kg, with cull ewes down 50c/kg‘Factories can and must do more in the marketplace to maintain sustainable prices for sheep farmers and reverse these price cuts,’ said IFA sheep char Adrian Gallagher. Photo: Roger JonesTwo themes have emerged on the processor side of the sheep business over the last month: weekly price cuts, and the failure of the Dawn group and Kildare Chilling to provide any quotes.

1 week ago | independent.ie | Martin Coughlan

‘Crippling blow’ for sheep farmers as hogget and cull quotes slashedSheepHogget quotes are back 50c/kg in a fortnight. Photo: Gerry FaughnanThe pressure on sheep farmers continued yesterday with quotes for hoggets cut by another 30c/kg and cull ewes back 50c/kg. This latest blow leaves hogget well below the price of beef – at a base of €7.50/kg compared to €7.80/kg. Something never before seen.

1 week ago | independent.ie | Martin Coughlan

Beef price lifts are on the cards as numbers drop off and demand risesFactories‘In the space of a week factories have gone from claiming that consumer resistance to higher prices was hurting sales, to admitting that they need bigger numbers’. Photo: Ray RyanThe factories are maintaining their grip on prices, keeping base quotes for bullocks and heifers at €7.50-7.60/kg, which is effectively where they have been at for a month.