Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 March 2013
485. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent, if any, to which inflation has been detected in the beef or other meat sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14601/13]
View answerI assume the Deputy is referring to the price of meat products (beef, pigs and lamb) which my department reports on a regular basis to the EU Commission.
The following table shows the average market prices for beef, pigs & lamb for the first ten weeks of 2013, together with the corresponding prices for 2012:
|
Prices exclude VAT |
2013 |
2012 |
|
Beef (R3 Steers) |
€4.01 / Kg |
€3.88 / Kg |
|
Pigs |
€1.69 / Kg |
€1.46 / Kg |
|
Lamb |
€4.18 / Kg |
€4.91 / Kg |
The reduction in sheep prices can be attributed to lower consumer spending in key export markets and also to an increase in imports into the EU from New Zealand. There are some signs of a recovery in sheep prices in recent weeks.
I am encouraged with the very good prices which farmers are currently receiving, especially in the beef sector, where the base price for steers was up to €4.15 per Kg (excluding VAT) in week 10. However, average price increases in 2013 over 2012 in the beef and pig sectors have to be taken in conjunction with the increase in the cost of feed and adverse weather conditions which have affected farmer’s margins in the past year.
As my Department does not monitor prices at retail level and these are a result of market forces, I am not in a position to comment on inflation in this regard.
