The drought in France, which has led to serious forest fires and the deaths of four tourists in the last 10 days, has also hit Irish meat prices.
The French authorities, anxious to prevent the spread of forest fires, has imposed a widespread ban on barbecues in the south of the country, according to a report in Bord Bia's Market Monitor.
It said the ban on barbecues, and also the fact that tourist figures to France are down by 15 per cent, is affecting the beef and lamb trade.
"As a result of the ban on barbecues, sales of ribs were difficult during the week," said the report
"As a result the price paid for Irish steer hinds eased to €3.50/kg while heavy German cow hinds were selling at up to €3.30/kg," it added.
It said the ban had also an impact on the sales of Irish lamb in the southern part of France which has been a target area for Irish lamb exports for the past two years.
"While the prices being paid in Paris had remained firm, the overall level of demand remains weak and the ban on all barbeque cooking in the south of France is affecting consumption in that region," it said.
France is the largest outlet for Irish lamb production, taking 80 per cent of Irish exports worth over €130 million last year.
Forest fires have also hit Portugal, Russia and Croatia. The hot weather is also taking its toll on agriculture, with forecasts for cereal production in Germany and the EU being cut.