Finished cattle market continues upward

The expectation that the market might seek a new price balance after last week —affected by lower demand from some plants and the intense cold of the past two weeks— did not materialize. The market remains on an upward trend, with prices now 5–10 cents above previous benchmarks.

Steers quote around US$ 5.00 per kilo, a price achieved by light cattle for the domestic market and good-quality heavy steers. Special and heavy steers are trading around US$ 5.10 per kilo. Some plants are a step below those references (US$ 4.90–4.95), purchasing cattle with more standard finishing.

In the case of fat cows, the floor is around US$ 4.65, and some plants are paying up to US$ 4.90 or slightly more if carcasses exceed 250 kilos. Others offer US$ 4.80 for carcasses above 240 kilos.

There is strong interest in heifers, especially from the domestic market, with limited supply. Prices are around US$ 4.95 per kilo.

Bookings are averaging about one week. Reduced activity at some plants (Carrasco’s closure, Tacuarembó operating with only one shift, and fewer slaughter days at others) has not offset the drop in supply, which currently relies on grainfed animals. Feedlots continue operating at full capacity, with prices generally around US$ 5.40 per kilo.

The intense cold of the past two weeks is expected to ease by the end of this week.

Nothing currently suggests a shift in the upward price trend in the short term, unless another plant shuts down and helps rebalance the market by further reducing demand.