Italy keeps catching up

The increase was significantly higher in Italy, where prices rose by 6.7% and, at €350.72 per 100 kg, are now almost on a par with the European average. In Poland, Spain and Germany there were surcharges of 1.2% to 1.8%. In Austria and Belgium, on the other hand, there was no change in prices compared with the previous week; in France, the Netherlands and Denmark there were discounts of 0.5%, 2.9% and 3.3%, respectively.

As with young bulls, the bottom line for cows was an upward trend. According to the Commission, animals in the O3 category earned an EU average of €279.08 per 100 kg cw in the reporting week, 0.4% more than in the previous week. At 4.5%, the surcharge was considerably higher in Austria. In Poland, Germany and Denmark, the fattening companies raised between 1.2% and 1.7% more. In contrast, prices in the Netherlands moved sideways. Contrary to the average trend, some Member States saw discounts of 0.3% and 0.4% in France and Belgium. In Italy and Spain, 1.4% and 1.7% less was paid for O3 cows.

Prices for heifers in the Community also increased somewhat. According to the Commission, during the reporting week, € 367.12 per 100 kg cw was paid for animals in category R3 in the EU average, which is 0.6% more than during the previous week. In Spain, the quotation even climbed by 5.4%; the gains in Poland and Luxembourg were lower, with premiums of 1.4% and 1.8%. France and Ireland paid 0.5% and 0.6% more, respectively. Prices moved sideways in the Netherlands and Belgium. Prices in Germany and Austria were somewhat weaker, with fattening for R3 heifers selling 0.3% and 0.4% less than in the previous week. Prices in Denmark and Italy fell more sharply, by 4.1% and 8.2%, respectively.