Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Beef markets are wonky

Beef markets have been weird since the COVD-19 pandemic hit North America.

Wholesale beef price have hit highs not seen since 2015, but cattle prices have hit their lowest levels since 2010.

In Alberta, a market watcher said prices are down by 20 to 25 per cent.

Yet grocery shoppers are grabbing all the beef they can get and the chains are placing such large refill orders that meat packers have added slaughter hours and boosted workers’ pay.

Dennis Laycraft of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association said that more recently cattle prices have been trending higher.