Key facts
- Beef processors have cut prices too aggressively, according to the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU).
- The UFU states that falling beef prices are making family farm businesses unsustainable.
- Farmers are facing high fuel, fertiliser, feed, labour, and energy costs.
- Retailer and supermarket prices for beef have remained unchanged or increased.
- Some farmers are reportedly losing £350 or more on finished cattle.
- The UFU warns that continued price cuts could lead to fewer beef farms in Northern Ireland.
The Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) has criticized beef processors for aggressively cutting prices, stating that these reductions are pushing family farm businesses into an unsustainable position. Brendan Kelly, UFU beef and lamb chair, highlighted that while farmers are facing high costs for fuel, fertiliser, feed, labour, and energy, the prices they receive for beef have fallen significantly, with some farmers losing £350 or more per finished cattle. In contrast, retailer and supermarket prices for beef have remained unchanged or increased. Kelly noted that processors cite rising operating and energy costs due to global instability, but farmers face the same pressures with little ability to recover these costs. The UFU believes processors have over-corrected the market, creating fragile confidence in the sector. The union emphasized that Northern Ireland beef farmers produce a high-quality product and are seeking a fair return for their work, risk, and investment. The UFU plans to engage with processors and retailers to ensure farmers' concerns are heard and market returns reflect the reality on the ground, warning that continued price drops could lead to fewer beef farms in Northern Ireland, impacting farmers, processors, rural communities, and local food production.