ANALYSIS: UK Beef Fillet and Sirloin Prices Firm as Cattle Tightens

The fillets and sirloin markets continue to experience upwards pricing pressure since the beginning of the year. The largest contributing factor is thin inventories due to a tight cattle supply.

While foodservice suffered a lacklustre start of year as the ongoing cost of living pressures discourage consumers from dining out, demand from the retail sector remains strong.

Markets for PGI & UTM sirloins have been moving higher over the last four weeks. UTM whole striploins are seeing some trades at values as...

Analysis: A Closer look at UK Beef Production, Consumption and Prices

The volume of beef produced in the UK in 2023 was 817 000 MT, 2.5% down from the previous year. This was on the back of a 1.3% decline in prime slaughter numbers. Cows also dropped by 2.5% and totalled 612 000 heads.

Market participants have cited that adverse wet weather conditions caused flooding and wider disruption during the month of December may have had an impact on throughputs. On the other hand, domestic consumption data from the USDA shows that UK beef consumption in 2023...

Analysis: UK Beef Markets for Round Cuts Remain Seasonally Strong

Retail suppliers are beginning to see a slowdown in demand as wholesale buying for the holiday season subsides. While prime steaks continue to see brisk movements in the marketplace, they have lost some of the premiums we’ve seen in the last couple of weeks. Weakness was more prevalent on some fillets, ribs, and sirloins. PGI Chain off fillet traded at £27/Kilo on the top side of the market, down from the previous week’s £30/Kilo.

With the arrival of winter, markets for cold-weather cuts including topside...

ANALYSIS: Optimism Surrounds UK Beef Ahead of King's Coronation

UK’s weather may be unpredictable, but one thing for certain is the British’s love of outdoor cooking whenever the opportunity presents itself. With the king’s coronation taking place on May 6, bullish traders expressed some optimism that the event could lend support to the beef market and there were areas of additional demand as retailers work to secure inventories for the weekend celebrations. 

It seems plausible that the retail sector will benefit from the event more than foodservice as a lot of people are expected to watch the event...