Irish Cattle Throughput Up as Prices Remain Strong
Irish Beef Processing Sees Throughput Increase Amidst Strong Prices
Figures released by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) reveal a 3% increase in cattle processed in approved Irish plants for the year to date. As of the week ending May 4th, 2025, a total of 640,174 head of cattle have been processed, a rise of 10,759 head compared to the 629,415 processed during the same period in 2024.
Prime cattle throughput for the first 18 weeks of the year reached 481,132 head, marking a 1.8% increase from the corresponding period last year. However, the slaughter mix within this category has seen some shifts. While young bull slaughter experienced a notable decline earlier in 2025, it has now evened out to a similar level as the same week in 2024. Conversely, steer and heifer throughput has seen a slight decrease compared to 2024.
Cow throughput remains robust, with 99,507 cows processed so far this year, representing a significant 13% increase from 2024 levels.
The market continues to see strong base quotes for prime cattle this week, with steers quoted in the region of €7.40-€7.50 per kilogramme and heifers starting at €7.50/kg to €7.60/kg. The trade for the smaller number of young bulls on offer remains steady, with €7.40-€7.50/kg available for U grading animals under 24 months. Flat prices for R grading bulls can reach as high as €8.00/kg.
Well-fleshed O grading cows are currently being quoted at €6.90/kg, with prices reaching €7.30/kg for good quality R grading cows. Notably, a significant proportion of the cow kill in recent months has achieved a conformation score of P, and prices for these animals vary considerably depending on grade, weight, and overall quality.
For the week ending May 4th, 2025, the average price paid by Irish beef processors for R3 steers saw an increase to €7.53/kg, a substantial 128c/kg ahead of the corresponding week in 2024. The reported average price for R3 heifers during the same week rose by 26c/kg to €7.54/kg, placing it a significant 164c/kg ahead of the same week last year. It is important to note that these reported prices exclude VAT but include all bonus payments such as in-spec bonuses and breed-based producer group incentives.
European markets are also experiencing strong young bull prices, which have held firm throughout 2025. The average reported price for R3 grading young bulls in Europe was €6.51/kg (excluding VAT) for the week ending May 4th, 2025, marking a 125c/kg increase compared to the same week last year. In the United Kingdom, tighter cattle supplies and firm demand have maintained strong deadweight beef prices. However, the average R3 steer price in the UK saw a slight decrease of 24c/kg this week, settling at €8.23/kg for the week ending May 4th, 2025.
