Galway farmer frustration as factory beef prices 'stay put'
THERE has been little to no upward movement on factory cattle prices despite a number of meetings over recent weeks between IFA representatives and management at the meat plants.
Galway IFA Chairman, Micheál Haverty, told the Farming Tribune, that factories had the scope to lift prices, which are now running at €1 to €1.20/kg less than the early summer period of 2025.
He said that farmers who had paid 'big money' for weanlings and store cattle last year were now looking at heavy losses, given the major drop in factory prices.
"I know of farmers who paid up to €2,900 for top quality Charolais weanlings while the prices being paid for suck calves has more than doubled over the past two years.
"We're hearing arguments from the factories that the UK market is now a lot more competitive due to beef imports from South America, Australia and Poland.
"However, we do not accept that the Irish factories can't afford to pay farmers any more for cattle - the prices being paid by the meat plants here are completely out of line with UK and EU prices," said Micheál Haverty.
According to the latest prime Irish Composite Beef Price, reported by Bord Bia, there has been a further decline of 7c/kg in Irish prices which has opened up a gap of 42c/kg with the prime export benchmark beef price.
This is the largest gap recorded since November 2024 - UK beef prices are now over 50c/kg above Irish beef prices.
Farmers cannot tolerate any further price cuts, particularly as the price of fertiliser and fuel is escalating upwards
Micheál Haverty said that factories needed to urgently re-assess their pricing structure to avoid causing serious and lasting damage to the Irish beef sector.
"Farmers cannot tolerate any further price cuts, particularly as the price of fertiliser and fuel is escalating upwards,” he said.
According to the IFA, supplies of finished cattle have tightened 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, the IFA has stated.
The IFA also points out that there is a similar pattern in the EU beef market where production is projected to be back up to 4% this year, creating ample opportunity for Irish beef and stronger returns to beef farmers.
"Farmers should not be misled by the negativity from factories. Markets are strong, supplies are tight and there is huge capacity for increases,” said Micheál Haverty.