The surge in demand for beef and respective rise in Irish cattle prices that has been experienced this year are predicted to hold firm into the first quarter of next year, according to market experts on global meat and beef trade, Gira.

Speaking at a recent Bord Bia Meat Seminar, Gira’s Rupert Claxton outlined that China “is long-term going to have to import more beef and sheepmeat”.

“There isn’t enough protein in the Chinese market,” he explained.

He added that “beef, in the context of a high beef price and short supply, is still being bought” by major purchasers in world markets.

“Even with pork prices dropping, beef is still good and domestic supply is expected to be short this year.

“The second half of this year is crucial, if they are as short of cattle as we think they are, this will run into the beginning of 2022,” the meat sector expert explained.

Claxton believes that “it will be the second quarter of 2022 when we see it [the beef trade] turn”.