22 December 2022

2 minute read

By: Global Ag Media

Europe

GB deadweight cattle prices maintained their strength through the month of November, according to AHDB red meat analyst Hannah Clarke. 

Prices

In the five weeks to 3 December, GB steers averaged 444p/kg overall, up 8% (32p) compared to the same period a year ago. This was also a notable 21% (77p) above the equivalent five-year average. Weekly prices stayed relatively stable through the period, dipping just 0.8p from beginning to end.

Heifers also showed stable pricing, with the overall average appreciating by 0.8p between the weeks ending 5 November and 3 December. The average price for the period stood at 441p/kg, up 8% (31p) year-on-year and up 20% (74p) on the five-year average.

Young bulls meanwhile enjoyed more price strength, gaining nearly 6p over the period to average at 423.5p/kg overall in the week ending 3 December. For the five-week period, the overall price averaged 427p/kg, 8% (30p) ahead of the same period in 2021. This meant the premium on the equivalent five-year average was 23% (81p).

For cows, prices saw seasonal declines as the weeks moved on, but remained on an historically strong trajectory. The GB overall deadweight cow price averaged 328p/kg in the five-week period, up 28% (71p) year-on-year and up 47% (105p) on the equivalent five-year average. During the period, weekly prices eased by 9p to average 323p/kg in the week ending 3 December.

Estimated slaughter

GB prime cattle kill (steers, heifers and young bulls) was estimated at 156,600 head for the five weeks to 3 December, up 1.6% from the equivalent period a year ago. Weekly kill averaged 31,300 head. For the year to 3 December, GB prime cattle kill is estimated at 1.5 million head, down 1% versus the equivalent period in 2021, but down 4% compared to the five-year average.

Estimated GB cow kill totalled 70,500 head for the five-week period, up 13% versus the same period a year ago, but down 1.7% compared to the five-year average. Estimated weekly kill peaked at 14,700 head during the week ending 12 November, then generally eased in the following weeks. For the year to 3 December, cow kill was estimated to total 516,600 head, up 3% compared to the same period in 2021.