March 23, 2009
Irish beef imports drown profits of British producers
British beef producers are losing out on the anticipated higher prices resulted from tightening supplies due to large volumes of cheap imports from Ireland, according to the National Beef Association (NBA).
Large retailers are mixing cheaper Irish beef with the more expensive UK-produced meat, meaning that domestic prime cattle prices are not reaching the high levels justified by the tight market supplies, said the NBA.
NBA director Kim Haywood said slaughter cattle in Ireland are GBP70-80 a head cheaper than the UK average, and when combined with large imports, has caused cattle prices across Britain and Northern Ireland to slip progressively.
Only Morrisons, Waitrose, Marks and Spencer, the Co-op and Budgens are selling 100 percent British, while other major supermarkets are importing more meat at the expense of domestic meat, the NBA said.
Haywood said retailers should realise the best way to sustain domestic cattle supplies is to increase their own prices so that suppliers can pay more for cattle and help farmers cover the cost of production.
