Data from Bord Bia in the Republic of Ireland shows that Northern Ireland had the fifth highest beef price within the EU during 2017, with an average of 357.59p/kg paid on an R3 heifer. The 2017 price is 5p/kg ahead of 2016 levels.

The EU average R3 heifer price was 341.92p/kg this year, which puts a 300kg R3 heifer slaughtered in NI worth £48 more than the EU average.

Sweden paid the highest beef price, with a sterling equivalent of 403.4p/kg, followed by Italy in second place with a price of 381.38p/kg.

Britain

Britain is in third place on 371.21p/kg, with Luxembourg in fourth with a price of 357.94p/kg, which is only marginally ahead of NI.

Spain paid the sixth highest price of 347.35 followed by France on 344.74p/kg.

Ireland was in eighth position with an average price of 343.22p/kg, with Finland and Germany rounding out the EU top 10 on 337.91p/kg and 330.64p/kg, respectively.