There is no sign of any let-up in rising prices for imported beef in the United States.
Prices for manufacturing beef hit record levels several weeks ago. The US is New Zealand's main beef market.
NZX Agrifax market analyst Nick Handley says New Zealand farmers and meat processors are getting little benefit from the high prices at present, because at this time of the year little beef is being exported.
"As has been the case for the past few months, it has been unfortunate for New Zealand farmers and exporters that they've really only been able to watch the excitement from the sidelines, due to seasonally low production. But that will all change if the market holds on for another month or so," he said.
"Over the past week, the domestic market in the US remained fairly static but import prices continued soaring to new highs, with increases for the week ranging from two to four percent for manufacturing bull and cow meat.
"And, of course, the New Zealand dollar dropping to a seven-month low has also helped boost returns in New Zealand dollar terms."
