07 Dec 2025
Irish Beef Production Forecast to Drop by 4% in 2026
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Ireland’s prime beef production is projected to decrease by 4% in 2026, according to the latest outlook from Teagasc, the national agriculture and food development authority.
The forecast is based on a significant reduction in the number of young cattle in the supply pipeline compared to the previous year.
This trend of a shrinking breeding herd is not confined to Ireland, with similar patterns emerging across the European Union and in the United Kingdom. The tighter supply is expected to support prices, with Teagasc forecasting a 5% increase in the average price for finished cattle in 2026.
The report highlights the long-term nature of beef production cycles, where decisions made by farmers today have a delayed impact on the market. The current decline in cattle numbers is a result of breeding decisions made over the past couple of years, and it will take time for the herd to rebuild.