The Polish beef market is under pressure: prices are constantly falling, as the EU market is full and exports to third countries are low, Farmer magazine reports.

In addition, the beef sector received a serious threat in the form of a trade agreement with the Mercosur countries, according to which the European market will accept almost 100 thousand. Basically, beef prices are now lower than for pigs.

Currently, the price of bulls in class R is in the range of 10.40–11 zł (2.35–2.50 euros / kg). However, prices in class O are 10–10.6 zł (about 2.35 euros / kg). The lowest is the price of bulls bought in live weight, which ranges between 5.20-7.50 zlotys (1.30-1.74 euros / kg).

The prices for heifers offered for class R are 10.80–13.20 zł (2.40–3.10 euro / kg), and for class O 10.60–12.40 zł (2.40–2, 89 euro / kg). For heifers bought live weight, farmers can receive from 5 to 7 zlotys (1.17-1.65 euros / kg).

Rates also fell for cows, with prices of about 10 zł (2.33 euros / kg) in a slaughterhouse and in live weight of about 5 zł (1.17 euros / kg).

Polish farmers are thinking of initiating protests as a response to the Mercosur trade deal, following the example of Irish farmers who stand in front of the Dublin parliament, invalidating the EU free trade agreement with Mercosur countries, as well as the two-level language of the EU.

“They have imposed environmental restrictions on farmers across Europe, and we must act in accordance with environmental standards. And suddenly Brussels signs an agreement with a country that ignores all these rules, ”commented Hugh Doyle, one of the leaders of the Beef Plan movement, referring to Brazil, one of the countries of the Mercosur group.