Cattle prices plummet in Germany: farmers get less money for bulls

The price of young bulls fell sharply at the beginning of the week. According to reports in the German press, the prices paid are lower than the official guide price.

Farmers receive much less money for young bulls. The market for young bulls and higher quality heifers is increasing while demand remains weak. As a result, the combined price for young bulls has been reduced by 15 cents per kilogram carcass weight (kg carcass weight) in all categories. The price for higher quality heifers has been reduced by 10 cents per kg/SG. The reference price for cull cows of rare breeds remains stable.

Farmers receive around 6.6 €/kg carcass weight (SG) for young R3 bulls. This price applies to Simmental and other meat breeds, QS quality animals. This is still 10 cents/kg SG more than a year ago.

The combined price for Class R3 heifers after the reduction is €6.55/kg SG. The price for Class O3 cull cows remains unchanged at €5.75/kg SG (at 310 kg SG).

However, the prices actually paid are lower, according to market experts at the Schleswig-Holstein Chamber of Agriculture. The official quotation is therefore almost irrelevant there. Market observers also say that the demand for meat from young bulls is currently much lower than usual at this time of year. This is also attributed to consumer caution due to the consequences of the Iranian war.

There are reports of difficult realisations not only from the north, but also from almost all regions of Germany.

Agrobite notes that the same trend is observed in Lithuania: prices are also falling. This is because exports have slowed down and the number of animals on the market has increased. However, the drop is not as sharp as in Germany because the market is smaller.

While in Germany the price of young bulls is now around 6,6 & euro/kg carcass weight (R3 class), in Lithuania the price is lower (often ~10–20% less). This is due to a smaller domestic market and a greater dependence on exports.