No supermarkets report thanks from producers for the increased proportion of the retail beef price left inside the farm gate last month. Instead, breeders' and finishers' lobby group the National Beef Association has complained of the multiples trying to reverse the livestock price uptrend. The latest beef price spread calculated by MLC shows why. Although there has been some retail inflation, the impression is of the cattle market running ahead of the processors and supermarkets. Monday's livestock auctions suggested it is still happening, especially in Scotland where cattle are now averaging well above 100p liveweight per kg. Something similar can be detected in the pork and bacon markets, though industry talk is of processors suffering nearly all the pain. As for lamb, the live market now appears to have begun its long expected retreat. A wider spread is likely the next time MLC reports. {{MEAT }}

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