The prime cattle trade stabilised and levelled at 348.7 p/kg in the week ending 25 October despite less prime cattle coming forward.

Supply and demand was on-par for the week as steer throughputs were back 300 head and heifer throughputs back by 400 head on the week. Prices should start to firm up as procurement for Christmas starts although prices remain unchanged on the week as R4L’s levelled at 360.2 p/kg.

According to the latest report from AHDB/EBLEX, forecasts for 2015 show that less cattle will be available to the market and production reduced.

Whilst export markets remain robust and imports expected to be down, the UK beef market should be under less pressure than it has been in 2014 with a possibility of firmer prices, according to EBLEX.

However, while prices for the coming year look optimistic, wage increases which remain below inflation, could put pressure on consumers’ pockets and consumers may look to cheaper alternatives to beef.

It wasn’t just prime cattle slaughtering’s down either as fat cows and finished bulls were also down on the week. Throughputs for fat cattle overall were estimated to be down by about 1500 head to the week ending October 25.