Ireland Cattle Trade Prices Update
Ireland Cattle Trade Prices Update
The Irish cattle market is showing signs of stabilisation at elevated levels, as deadweight prices remain strong amid tighter supply and robust demand across the beef and live-export sectors.
Key Price Highlights
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Starting quotes this week for steers are in the €7.30–7.40/kg range, with heifers quoted at €7.40–7.50/kg. (bordbia.ie)
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Good quality R-grading cows are being quoted at about €7.20–7.30/kg, while O-grading animals (well-fleshed) attract about €7.00–7.10/kg.
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For the week ending 11 October, the average paid by Irish processors for R3 steers was €7.23/kg, up 4 cents from the previous week and around 24 cents below the equivalent UK price.
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Live cattle exports year-to-date have reached 326,120 head — marginally ahead of last year, although summer trade was weaker.
Market / Context
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Prime cattle throughput in Ireland is down 5.6 % year-to-date compared with last year.
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The elevated price level reflects tight supply chains across Europe and firm export demand for Irish livestock.
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The price gap of roughly 24 c/kg between Irish and UK deadweight prices highlights ongoing competitiveness for exporters and importers alike.
What to Watch
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Carcass weights have been trending lighter, which could help sustain higher per-kilogram prices in the short term.
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Export performance will remain key — particularly any shifts in live cattle destinations and regulatory changes affecting transport.
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Continued monitoring of UK supply levels is essential, as further tightening could strengthen Irish returns, while any easing might dampen prices.
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Rising input costs for feed, labour, and energy could still affect processor margins and farm-gate returns in Q4.
Source: Bord Bia – Irish Food Board (Cattle Trade & Prices, 2025)
(Rewritten and summarised for Meatex.co.uk)