A GAP of over 40c per kilogram now exists between the price of Irish beef and that of key export markets, the largest recorded since November 2024.

The latest prime Irish composite beef price reported by Bord Bia recorded a decline of 7c/kg, opening up a 42c/kg gap with the prime export benchmark price.

IFA livestock chair Declan Hanrahan said the ‘continued downward pressure on beef prices applied by factories is completely at odds with market conditions and must stop immediately’.

‘It’s completely unacceptable and reckless that factories continue to talk down the trade when prices in our key export markets strengthen. There is now a gap of over 40c between where Irish beef prices are and what our key export markets are returning. It’s up the price of beef should be going, not down,’ he said.

Hanrahan also noted the gap in price between Irish and UK beef now stands at approximately 50c/kg.

‘Factories need to urgently reassess their pricing structures to avoid causing serious lasting damage to the beef sector,’ he said.

‘Farmers cannot tolerate any further price cuts, particularly as the price of fertiliser and fuel is escalating upwards.’

Supplies of finished cattle are tightening considerably on the ground with weekly throughput operating some 4,000 head behind the equivalent week in 2025.

Based on supply projections for the year, there will be up to 60,000 fewer cattle available to factories over the coming months.

This week’s prices for bullocks (steers) are being quoted at €6.60/kg in general, while heifers are generally being quoted at €6.70/kg.

Hanrahan warned: ‘There is no justification in the marketplace for any weakening of prices, which is putting further pressure on producers who already operate on very low margins. ‘