UK Livestock Market: Prices Up, Slaughter Down

Weekly Cattle and Sheep Market Wrap: Prices Rise Amid Slaughter Decline

Cattle Market
The GB overall all-prime cattle price saw a substantial increase of 10p/kg week-on-week, reaching 663p/kg. R4L prices for both steers and heifers climbed to 675p/kg, reflecting strong market demand. The estimated slaughter number for prime cattle was notably down, with a 5% decrease compared to the previous week.

In the week ending 15 March, GB deadweight cattle prices continued their upward trend. Overall steer and heifer prices grew by 10p/kg from the previous week, reaching 665p/kg and 663p/kg respectively. Young bulls also saw a similar increase, up 11p to 644p/kg. Deadweight cow prices rallied after muted growth in the previous week, showing an increase of 9p/kg to reach 495p/kg. This rise is the greatest for a month, suggesting it is following similar trends to prime cattle.

The estimated slaughter for GB prime cattle was down for the week ending 15 March, with an estimated kill of 33,800 head, representing a 5% drop compared to the previous week. Cow estimated slaughter followed a similar trend, down 700 head to an estimated 8,400 head.

Red meat retail performance indicates that although prices have begun to increase year-on-year, with the average price paid up 5.7%, volumes have remained relatively constant. This suggests good demand for beef despite the consumer starting to see some uplift in prices, which will be an important watchpoint over the coming months.

Sheep Market
For the week ending 15 March, the GB deadweight old season lamb SQQ averaged 739p/kg, remaining flat compared to the previous week. This price is down 51p compared to the same week in 2024. The estimated kill was down by 10,500 head on the previous week, totaling 225,700 head, a significant drop of 4.5% on the week and 6% on the year.

Reports suggest that heavier stock appears to be dominating the market. This is supported by Defra carcase weights in February 2024, showing a slight month-on-month uplift, indicating that larger lambs that have had more time to grow are supporting supply at this time.

As the market continues to evolve, stakeholders will be closely monitoring these trends to make informed decisions. The rise in cattle prices and the steady lamb prices amidst declining slaughter numbers highlight the dynamic nature of the livestock market.

Original story: AHDB

China Renews U.S. Meat Export Licenses

Beijing has renewed registrations for hundreds of U.S. pork and poultry facilities, allowing them to continue exporting to China.

This move comes as a relief to U.S. farmers and meat companies, who have been navigating trade disputes with major agricultural importers, including China and Canada.

The renewals, which extend until 2030, were confirmed on China’s customs website. However, registrations for hundreds of U.S. beef facilities remain listed as “expired.” This situation has left U.S. exporters uncertain about the future of their shipments, as registrations for more than 1,000 U.S. meat plants granted under the 2020 “Phase 1” trade deal lapsed on Sunday.

The “Phase 1” trade deal, signed in 2020, aimed to end the previous U.S.-China trade war with a pledge from Beijing to boost its purchases of U.S. goods and services, including meat, by $200 billion over two years. Despite this agreement, China did not reach the target, which was set shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Shipments from facilities with lapsed registrations have continued to clear customs, but U.S. exporters remain unsure how long this will last. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has expressed concerns that China did not respond to repeated requests to renew plant registrations, potentially violating the Phase 1 agreement.

The renewals for pork and poultry are a positive development, but the uncertainty surrounding beef exports continues to pose challenges for U.S. meat producers.

Original story: Reuters

Newcastle Disease Spreads in Polish Poultry

Poland continues to grapple with Newcastle disease, as three more poultry flocks have been infected. On March 11, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) confirmed the presence of the disease in two flocks in Radomyśl Wielki and one flock in Unieck. The Unieck farm had 144,326 susceptible birds, while the Radomyśl Wielki flocks had 24,170 and 13,486 birds.

WOAH described the birds in these flocks as domestic poultry. Control measures being applied include stamping out, movement control, disinfection, zoning, surveillance within the restricted zone, traceability, and official destruction of animal products.

These new instances bring the total number of poultry flocks in Poland affected by Newcastle disease to 37 since WOAH first reported on the situation in 2024. Collectively, these 37 flocks have included 4,917,499 birds.

Currently, WOAH has active reports on Newcastle disease in three countries: Poland, Slovenia, and Israel. Sweden had earlier been dealing with an outbreak, but WOAH reported in January that the situation there had been resolved.

Original story: WATTPoultry

U.S. Meat Exports to China Threatened as Export Registrations Lapse

Beijing, March 17 (Reuters) – Export registrations for over 1,000 U.S. meat plants granted by China under the 2020 “Phase 1” trade deal lapsed on Sunday, according to China’s customs website. This development poses a significant threat to U.S. exports to the world’s largest buyer amid an ongoing tariff standoff.

The registration status for pork, beef, and poultry plants across the U.S., including those owned by major producers Tyson Foods, Smithfield Packaged Meats, and Cargill Meat Solutions, was changed from “effective” to “expired,” as reported by China’s General Administration of Customs. Reuters had previously reported on Friday that these registrations were at risk of lapsing.

The expiration of registrations for roughly two-thirds of the total registered facilities could severely restrict U.S. market access and potentially lead to losses of approximately $5 billion. This situation adds to the challenges faced by American farmers, especially after Beijing imposed retaliatory tariffs on about $21 billion worth of American farm goods earlier this month.

While registrations for around 84 U.S. plants lapsed in February, shipments from these plants continue to clear customs. However, it remains uncertain how long China will allow these imports to continue. Beijing requires food exporters to register with customs to sell their products in China, making the registration process crucial for maintaining market access.

This development could have significant implications for the U.S. meat industry and its trade relations with China.

Original story: Reuters

AIMS Calls on DHSC to Review FSA’s Meat Inspection System

AIMS Calls on DHSC to Review FSA’s Meat Inspection System

On the day the Chancellor meets with leading regulators to discuss reducing business burdens and promoting growth, the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) has published a report titled “A Strategic Review of Cost-Saving Opportunities in the FSA’s Meat Inspection System.” The report identifies up to £22 million per annum in potential savings through a detailed analysis of the Food Standards Agency’s (FSA) current cost structure.

Dr. Jason Aldiss, Executive Director of AIMS, highlighted longstanding issues with the FSA’s third-party contractor: “We have known for a long time that the third-party contractor used by the FSA has failed to deliver the staff and levels of service required by the contract, resulting in at least £1.7 million in additional payments without any sign of service improvements.”

The report reveals wasteful duplication of managerial structures between the FSA and its contractor, attributed to a lack of effective ministerial oversight for many years. This inefficiency has burdened the meat and poultry processing sector with excessive charges and costly administrative burdens, placing the UK at a disadvantage compared to other livestock processing countries.

Dr. Aldiss pointed out that the UK’s meat inspection costs are significantly higher than those in comparable European countries such as France and Ireland, with businesses paying up to four times more than their EU counterparts.

At a time when the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), which sponsors this arm’s length quango, is looking to recover wasted taxpayer money, and the UK Government is focused on growing the economy through exports and controlling inflation, the FSA’s meat inspection system and associated costs have risen unchecked. AIMS urges the Secretary of State to review their report and meet with them at the earliest opportunity.

This call for action underscores the need for a strategic review to ensure the meat inspection system is both efficient and cost-effective, benefiting the industry and the economy as a whole.

UK Butchers Grapple with Unprecedented Beef Price Hikes

Market Overview

UK butchers are facing mounting pressure as beef prices reach record highs in late summer 2025. The surge, driven by tight domestic supply and rising global demand, is reshaping margins and forcing retailers to reconsider product ranges and pricing strategies.

Industry reports suggest wholesale beef prices have climbed by over 20% year-on-year, with prime cuts such as sirloin and ribeye seeing the steepest increases. The impact is being felt across the supply chain — from processors to high street butchers — as cost inflation outpaces consumer price tolerance.

Supply Constraints

Several factors are contributing to the squeeze:

Reduced cattle throughput due to herd contraction and delayed finishing
Higher feed and energy costs impacting production efficiency
Labour shortages in abattoirs and cutting plants
Export demand from Asia and the Middle East driving competition for UK beef

The result is a volatile pricing environment, with weekly fluctuations making it difficult for independent butchers to plan stock and maintain consistent margins.

Retail Impact

Independent butchers are particularly vulnerable to these price hikes. Many are reporting:

Lower footfall due to rising retail prices
Increased customer resistance to premium cuts
Greater reliance on mince and value-added products
Pressure to absorb costs or reduce portion sizes

Some retailers are turning to alternative proteins — including pork and poultry — to maintain affordability and customer loyalty.

Industry Response

Trade bodies are calling for greater transparency in pricing and more support for small-scale operators. There is also growing interest in:

Direct sourcing from local farms
Collaborative buying groups to reduce costs
Digital tools for price tracking and inventory management

Processors are being urged to improve communication with retail partners to help manage expectations and plan promotions more effectively.

Outlook for Autumn 2025

While beef prices are expected to remain elevated through Q4, some analysts predict a softening in late October as slaughter volumes increase and seasonal demand shifts. However, much will depend on:

Weather conditions affecting finishing rates
Export volumes to non-EU markets
Consumer sentiment heading into the festive season

Butchers are advised to monitor pricing closely and explore flexible sourcing strategies to navigate the months ahead.

Original story: The Northern Farmer

China’s Huaxi Cattle Breed to Make International Debut

China’s Huaxi Cattle Breed to Make International Debut in Laos

BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) — China’s “Huaxi cattle” breed will make its first international appearance under a beef cattle breeding cooperation project with Laos, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences announced on Friday.

The project, signed in Vientiane earlier this week, will see China export 100,000 doses of frozen semen and 10 breeding bulls of the Huaxi cattle to Laos. The goal is to enhance the efficiency of beef cattle breeding and cultivate high-quality breeds in the Southeast Asian nation, according to the academy.

“This marks an important step for China’s beef cattle breeding industry into the global market, laying a solid foundation for its international development,” the academy stated.

The Huaxi cattle breed is the result of over four decades of research efforts and offers rapid growth, high-quality meat, and strong adaptability, with performance metrics matching international advanced levels. A mature bull weighs up to approximately 900 kg.

Some 23,400 Huaxi cattle have been bred across 12 Chinese provincial-level regions, supported by an advanced breeding database in addition to a network of breeding farms and bull stations, the academy reported.

Original story: Xinhua

Australian Cattle and Sheep Market Update

Cyclone Alfred Impacts Slaughter and Yardings Across Australia

The Australian livestock market continues to feel the effects of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, with significant disruptions to cattle and sheep slaughter volumes and yardings. Despite these challenges, cattle prices have strengthened, and restocker interest is rising, driven by the return of domestic processors.

Cattle Market Overview

Yardings dropped by 31,624 to 43,942 head due to weather disruptions and producers in New England holding cattle in anticipation of rainfall.
Cattle prices rose nationally, with the Dairy Cow Indicator up 25¢ to 242¢/kg liveweight (lwt).
Victorian prices saw a notable lift of 27¢, while Wagga producers responded positively to rainfall forecasts, pushing the Restocker Yearling Steer Indicator up 18¢.
National average price increased by 11¢ to 364¢/kg lwt.

Sheep and Lamb Market Trends

Trade Lamb Indicator rose 9¢ to 795¢/kg carcase weight (cwt), supported by renewed processor demand.
Price movements varied by state: Victoria saw a slight 1¢ drop, while NSW prices lifted by 8¢.
Heavy lambs over 30kg were in short supply, while lighter lambs increased, causing a 17¢ drop to 729¢/kg cwt.

Slaughter Statistics – Week Ending March 7, 2025

Cattle:

Total slaughter fell by 14,116 to 133,017 head.
Queensland saw the largest decline (13,967 head) due to processor shutdowns.
NSW, SA, and Victoria remained relatively stable.

Sheep and Lamb:

Combined slaughter eased by 25,618 to 699,627 head.
Sheep slaughter dropped by 13,756 to 205,728 head, mainly in Victoria (-5,374) and WA (-11,758).
NSW sheep slaughter increased by 2,634 head, keeping overall sheep slaughter 1.4% above the same period last year.
Lamb slaughter declined by 11,862 to 493,899 head, with reductions in NSW (-3,685), Victoria (-1,484), and WA (-6,427).

Conclusion

Despite weather-related disruptions, the Australian cattle and sheep markets remain resilient. Rising prices and renewed processor activity are supporting market stability, while slaughter volumes reflect ongoing challenges. Producers are cautiously optimistic as rainfall forecasts and restocker demand signal potential recovery.

MLA

Irish Lamb Prices Drop Amid Tight Supplies and Stable Demand

Market Overview

Irish lamb prices have seen a surprising dip in recent weeks, despite a backdrop of tight supply and consistent consumer demand. The trend has raised eyebrows across the meat trade, particularly among processors and exporters who expected firmer pricing heading into Q4.

According to industry sources, the average factory quote for spring lamb has softened by 10–15c/kg compared to early August, with base prices now hovering around €6.20/kg. This comes at a time when throughput remains constrained and flock numbers are under pressure due to weather-related challenges and rising input costs.

Supply Chain Pressures

Irish sheep farmers are grappling with several headwinds:

Reduced lamb numbers due to lower birth rates and delayed finishing
Weather volatility, especially in western counties, impacting grass growth and weight gain
Labour shortages in processing plants, slowing kill rates and affecting throughput

Despite these constraints, the market has not responded with upward price pressure — a sign that demand, while stable, is not accelerating.

Demand Holding Steady

Domestic retail demand for lamb remains consistent, with strong support from independent butchers and premium outlets. However, export markets — particularly in continental Europe — have shown signs of caution.

Buyers in France and Germany are reportedly holding back amid economic uncertainty and currency fluctuations. This has led to a more cautious approach to forward contracts and spot buying.

Export Implications

The drop in prices could have mixed implications for Irish exporters:

Short-term competitiveness may improve, especially in price-sensitive markets
Margin pressure could increase for processors facing higher operating costs
NZ lamb competition remains a factor, particularly in frozen categories

With New Zealand lamb continuing to enter the EU at competitive rates, Irish exporters may need to sharpen their value proposition — focusing on quality, traceability, and sustainability.

Outlook for Q4 2025

Looking ahead, industry analysts expect prices to stabilise if supply remains tight and demand holds. However, much will depend on:

Kill volumes in September and October
Export demand in key EU markets
Retail promotions and seasonal buying patterns

Processors are advised to monitor carcass weights and grading closely, as mis-shapes and trimming issues could impact returns — especially in frozen formats.

Bord Bia

Tight Supplies Drive Irish Pig Prices Upward

Irish Pig Prices on the Rise Amid Tight Supplies

Deadweight pig prices in Ireland are climbing due to relatively tight supplies for slaughter. Last week, prices increased by 4c/kg, with producers reporting rates ranging from €2.10 to €2.14/kg from processors.

The average price for grade E pig prices in Ireland for the week ending 8th March 2025 was €2.02/kg excluding VAT. This is 1.8% lower than the same week last year, when the price was €1.98/kg.

The EU average price for grade E carcass for the same week was €1.81/kg excluding VAT, showing a slight increase from the previous week but still 14% lower than the same month last year.

Throughput and Demand

While throughput has improved in the last quarter, demand continues to outpace supplies. Total throughput year-to-date is 628,256, slightly behind the corresponding period in 2024. For the week ending 8th March, the throughput was 64,342, including 1,929 sows.

Bord Bia