Tight Supply Supports Irish Beef Prices into 2026
Irish Beef Farming Forecast Shows Strong Margins for 2026
28 December 2025 | Ireland
Irish beef farmers are heading into 2026 in their strongest financial position in recent years, supported by tight cattle supplies, robust export demand and firmer prices, according to new forecasts from Teagasc.
Teagasc economists expect finished cattle prices to rise by around 5% in 2026 compared with the 2025 average. On-farm profitability is forecast to remain solid, with net margins of €767 per hectare on single suckling farms and €616 per hectare on cattle finishing systems, reflecting both price strength and disciplined cost control.
The positive outlook is underpinned by shrinking beef production across Europe. Teagasc notes that UK beef output fell by 4.3% in the first ten months of 2025, while EU production declined by 3.9%, tightening overall availability and supporting prices in key export markets.
Source article: Teagasc – “Beef farming in 2026: a forecast”
Read full article Share on X