Pic: Independent.ie

It has been a tough year for Irish beef farmers and with the need to look to different international markets, Bord Bia Meat & Livestock Senior Manager Joe Burke joins Catherine Egan to discuss the potential new markets for Irish Beef. 

Joe highlights the fact that beef prices have fallen in Ireland in 2019, for example, the R3 steer price has fallen by 6.5% while similar price decreases have occurred in the UK (7%) and continental Europe (5%). Over the last number of years Irish cattle prices have generally moved closer to and exceeded EU average male cattle prices.

With the significant increase in exports to international markets and live exports - live exports of cattle from Ireland increased by more than 20% in comparison with 2018, and are likely to reach 300,000 head by the year-end - Joe outlines the key market trends and overall impact for the industry in 2020 as well as the possibility of new markets for Irish Beef going forwards.

For more episodes and information covered on the Beef Edge, visit teagasc.ie/thebeefedge

The Beef Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.