Australia weekly wrap: lamb indicators hit records; cattle yardings rise on processor competition

8 August 2025 — Australia | Australia cattle and sheep wrap: lamb price indicators hit record levels last week, while cattle prices firmed as northern and southern processors competed for stock, according to MLA.

Cattle

Yardings rose 16% to 59,390 head. Most indicators gained 7–20¢/kg lwt; feeder heifer 398¢, restocker heifer 394¢. Processor & Dairy Cow eased to 360–344¢/kg lwt as supply improved.

Sheep

All main lamb indicators set new records, including a Dubbo saleyard high of $477/head. Yardings climbed: lamb +16% to 174,971, mutton +27% to 81,969. Trade and Heavy Lamb pushed above 1,200¢/kg cwt.

Slaughter (w/e 1 Aug): Cattle 150,496 head (−5% w/w, still 8% above the 2025 weekly average). Lamb 357,832 (−3% w/w; ~20% below the YTD average due to plant shutdowns). Sheep 137,340 (+6% w/w).

The Australia cattle and sheep wrap points to tight finished lamb supply and strong bidding for prime cattle. Plant maintenance continues to skew weekly sheepmeat kills, complicating procurement.

Outlook

Watch processor competition for prime cattle, stabilising sheepmeat slaughter as shutdowns wind down, and new-season lamb flow.

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Attribution: Meat & Livestock Australia — “Weekly cattle and sheep wrap,” 8 Aug 2025 (Erin Lukey).

Irish Sheep Trade Prices Hold Steady – Week Ending 2 August 2025

The Irish sheep trade prices August 2025 report highlights steady market conditions with signs of pressure on lamb values. Base quotes eased slightly last week after several weeks of stability.

Irish Lamb Market

Processors are now quoting €7.80–7.85/kg plus QA bonus. Most are paying up to an upper carcase weight of 21kg. According to Bord Bia, higher lamb availability in the UK and key export regions is reducing demand for Irish product.

Deadweight Prices

For the week ending 2 August 2025, the Irish deadweight lamb price averaged €7.80/kg. For context, prices in Great Britain averaged €8.73/kg, while Northern Ireland recorded €7.71/kg. Meanwhile, Southern Hemisphere markets remain competitive. Australian heavy lambs stood at €6.65/kg, and New Zealand lamb eased to €5.03/kg, close to its strongest level since late 2022.

Throughput

Total sheep kill in DAFM-approved plants reached 38,955 head last week. This marked an increase on the week but remained below 2024 levels, when 49,465 head were processed. Year-to-date throughput now totals 1.48 million head, which is 16% behind 2024. Lower numbers have been reported across all categories.

Industry Outlook

Processors continue to seek R-grade lambs at fat scores 2–3, with bonuses paid for Quality Assured (QA) stock. In addition, seasonal demand will play a key role in shaping price trends as the market responds to shifting supply and consumer buying behaviour.

In summary, the Irish sheep trade prices August 2025 update confirms stable but pressured lamb prices, with higher UK and EU supply likely to influence demand in the weeks ahead.

See also: Irish cattle trade: tighter supplies lift quotes; R3 steer hits €7.56/kg

Irish Cattle Trade Update – Week Ending 2 August 2025

The Irish cattle trade August 2025 continues to show tight supplies, with factories competing for livestock. As a result, base quotes have moved higher across all categories.

Cattle Market Performance

Total throughput in DAFM-approved plants reached 25,471 head for the week ending 2 August 2025. This was 915 head more than the previous week. However, volumes were still 28% lower than the same week in 2024, when 32,451 cattle were processed.

Year-to-date slaughter is running 4% behind 2024, with cow throughput falling by 15%. The decline reflects both herd contraction and earlier culling.

This week, factory quotes strengthened. Steers made €7.50–7.60/kg, while heifers achieved €7.60–7.70/kg. Young bulls under 16 months graded U returned €7.80–7.90/kg. In addition, cow prices ranged from €7.10–7.20/kg for P and O grades, rising to €7.30–7.40/kg for R grades, depending on weight and quality.

Deadweight Prices

The R3 steer average increased by 8c/kg to reach €7.56/kg, returning to May’s levels. In comparison, the latest UK R3 steer price was €7.44/kg. This places UK cattle 12c/kg below Irish averages, a sharp reversal from February when Britain led by €1.17/kg. Meanwhile, the EU R3 young bull average stood at €6.76/kg, around 80c/kg below Irish steers. (Prices exclude VAT and include bonuses.)

Live Exports

Exports remain firm despite supply challenges. Up to 26 July, Ireland exported 298,514 head, a rise of 12% year-on-year. Notably, calf exports topped 220,000 head, up 14% on 2024. Moreover, strong demand for weanlings and store cattle came from Northern Ireland, Spain, Eastern Europe, and North Africa.

Source: Bord Bia — Cattle Trade & Prices (week ending 2 August). Bord Bia

Australian beef exports hit fresh record as July shipments reach 150,435t

11 August 2025 — Australia | Australia set another beef-export record in July, shipping 150,435 tonnes of product. That’s 12% more than June’s previous high and 16% above July last year, according to Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA).

July is the fourth record month in a year, as processors keep kills high and heavier carcase weights push volumes through the system. MLA notes weekly slaughter has held above 150,000 head regularly since April, while adult-cattle carcase weights averaged 313kg in Q1.

Tight supply among competitors is helping Australia’s share. MLA reports year-to-date declines from Argentina, the US, New Zealand and Canada, with Brazil the main outlier. That imbalance, plus strong demand for consistent, long-shelf-life chilled and frozen product, is underpinning orders into key Asian and North American markets.

Outlook

Watch for any step-down in Brazil as its cattle cycle turns, the impact of seasonal conditions on Australian slaughter, and whether record monthly volumes can be maintained into Q4.

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Attribution: Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) — “Australian beef exports – why are records continually broken?” by Tim Jackson, 7 Aug 2025. Link: https://www.mla.com.au/news-and-events/industry-news/australian-beef-exports--why-are-records-continually-broken/

China extends beef import probe to 26th November, easing near-term risk for exporters

6 August 2025 — China | Beijing has extended its investigation into beef imports by three months to 26 November, giving global suppliers a short reprieve from potential trade curbs while China tries to stabilise an oversupplied domestic market. Officials said the inquiry does not target any single country.

Why it matters

Possible measures (such as quotas) would hit key shippers Argentina, Australia and Brazil. The United States is already feeling pain after China failed to renew many plant registrations in March, leaving “the vast majority” of US facilities ineligible to ship and costing an estimated $4bn in lost opportunities, according to the US Meat Export Federation.

Market backdrop

China imported a record 2.87m tonnes of beef in 2024, but H1 2025 volumes fell 9.5% to 1.3m tonnes as demand slowed. Beijing has stepped up support for the cattle sector and says farm profitability has returned in recent months. Extending the probe “buys time” to see if the industry can recover without safeguards, analysts said.

What to watch next

• Whether China opts for quiet, negotiated fixes rather than formal curbs.

• Any movement on US plant re-registrations.

• Import pace into Q4 as domestic margins improve.

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Source: Reuters, 6 August 2025 — “China extends probe into imported beef, a respite for global suppliers.” Reporting by Ella Cao, Lewis Jackson and Tom Polansek. Link: https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/china-extends-probe-imported-beef-respite-global-suppliers-2025-08-06/

Original source: Gov.uk

UK Halal Meat Market: Untapped Potential for Growth

4 August 2025 — UK | The Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) says ministers are overlooking the halal meat sector. The group warns Britain is “squandering a post-Brexit advantage” as rivals court high-growth markets.

AIMS says the sector is dynamic and high value at home and abroad. However, there is no formal UK programme to champion halal on trade missions. As a result, opportunities are being missed.

“The halal meat market is not a niche. It is a major global growth segment,” said Executive Director Dr Jason Aldiss BEM. “British producers, processors and certifiers can deliver high-welfare, fully traceable halal meat to world-leading standards. But without government recognition and support, international customers will look elsewhere.”
Industry projections put the global halal economy in the trillions by 2028. Therefore, AIMS wants halal promoted like Scotch whisky, Cheddar and craft gin. Specifically, it calls for trade envoys, commercial attachés and targeted export campaigns.

AIMS addresses welfare head-on. Most UK halal production is pre-stunned and all plants are FSA-inspected and fully regulated. As a result, the group argues that halal can align with high UK welfare and food-safety standards.

AIMS is also pushing for a cross-government plan. It wants DEFRA, DBT and the FCDO to meet sector representatives and design a halal export and market-development strategy. It wants clear priorities and timelines.

What AIMS is asking for

• First, active promotion of UK halal on trade missions in priority regions.
• Second, investment in UK halal assurance to strengthen integrity and consumer confidence.
• Finally, explicit inclusion of halal meat in future trade deals and export campaigns.

“This is not about deregulation,” Dr Aldiss added. “It is about intelligent engagement. If the UK is serious about growth and about promoting British food on the world stage, it cannot leave halal behind.”

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Source: AIMS press release, 4 August 2025.

UK-India Trade Deal 2025 – £6 Billion Boost and Jobs

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has signed the UK-India trade deal 2025. The agreement is forecast to create 2,200 new jobs and deliver a £4.8 billion annual boost to Britain’s GDP.

Deal Details

The deal is the most comprehensive trade agreement India has ever entered. It removes tariffs on 90% of UK exports to India, creating major opportunities in aerospace, manufacturing, clean energy, and financial services.

Tariffs on British whisky will drop immediately from 150% to 75%. Over the next decade, they will fall further to 40%. In addition, exports of cosmetics, medical devices, soft drinks, and lamb will benefit from reduced duties.

Industry and Government Reaction

“British pork is renowned for its quality and high welfare standards, so it’s no surprise to see global demand continuing to grow,” said Daniel Zeichner, Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs. “This is a tremendous win for our pork producers.”

The UK has also recently resumed pork exports to China. Moreover, this agreement supports the government’s Plan for Change, which aims to grow rural economies and secure new trade deals.

Exports Minister Gareth Thomas added:
“This is a £20 million win for British farming and a clear example of how we’re removing trade barriers and delivering fast results for UK producers.”

Market Outlook

The deal will bring £6 billion in new investment, including £5 billion in Airbus and Rolls-Royce contracts to supply aircraft and engines. It also gives UK service firms access to India’s £38 billion procurement market. Furthermore, it streamlines customs for SMEs and includes commitments on insurance and professional qualifications.

Beyond trade, the deal deepens cooperation on defence, education, climate, and technology. It builds on the UK-India Technology Security Initiative launched in 2024.

In summary, the UK-India trade deal 2025 opens one of the world’s fastest-growing consumer markets. It strengthens the UK’s global competitiveness and creates lasting benefits for British exporters.

UK Offal Market Worth £244m in 2025: Key Insights

The UK offal market 2025 is delivering value both at home and abroad according to recent AHDB data. Exports reached £244 million last year, while domestic sales continued to grow, albeit modestly.

Domestic Trends

From 1 June 2025, consumers spent around £30 million on primary red meat offal. That figure rose 1.8% in value, even though volumes fell 7.9% to just over 6,000 tonnes. Lamb offal remains the most popular category, accounting for over 50% of sales. Pork followed with 30%, and beef made up 19%. Notably, 11% of UK households are buying offal. While older consumers still lead purchases, there’s growing interest from families with children. This shift highlights declining volume among older shoppers, with new growth opportunities waiting in younger demographics.

Export Highlights

Exports are the backbone of the UK offal trade. Pork offal generated £162 million, with over half going to China. The EU and the Philippines also featured as key markets. Beef offal exports grew to £70 million, up from £61 million in 2023. Major destinations include France, Canada, the US, Japan, and Ghana. Meanwhile, sheep offal contributed £12 million, with 77% of it going to EU countries. Much of this trade is in fresh—not frozen—products, particularly within the EU. As such, maintaining cold-chain capacity is critical.

New Opportunities Ahead

The UK offal market 2025 offers room for innovation, especially domestically. Retail-ready formats and health messaging could broaden appeal. On the export side, there’s room to diversify beyond core markets like China and the EU. Emerging economies also show strong demand for affordable protein markets. Meanwhile, optimizing supply chains continues to offer both commercial and environmental advantages.

The full AHDB report, including export data and consumer insights, is available on the AHDB website.

GB Pig Prices Edge Up in Q2 2025 Amid Strong Demand and Export Growth

Great Britain’s pig prices showed a steady upward trend through the second quarter of 2025. The GB pig prices Q2 2025 average—the SPP for EU-spec pigs—climbed steadily from early April to early July, reaching 207.55 p/kg, a 2.79 p/kg rise.

Market Drivers

Domestic demand remains resilient, with Kantar reporting a 0.8% YoY increase in retail pig meat volumes for the 12 weeks to mid-June. This growth is largely thanks to added-value products and a seasonal boost from Easter and warm weather. Meanwhile, shoppers continue shifting from beef to pork, largely due to price differences.

EU prices rebounded in the second quarter, narrowing the gap with UK prices. By early July, the EU Grade E reference price reached 180.62 p/kg, still 27p below the GB SPP. Germany’s reinstated FMD-free status and increased seasonal demand helped fuel this rebound.

Trade Performance

UK pig meat exports rose substantially in May—10% month-on-month and 20% year-on-year, hitting nearly 27,000 tonnes. China emerged as the key destination driving growth.

Imports also increased, rising 9% from April and 3% YoY to 66,600 tonnes, boosted by stronger supply from Germany. Notably, the share of British pork on retail shelves remained stable, reinforcing domestic market strength.

Production Trends

Pig meat production remained positive. Q2 totalled 239,000 tonnes, up 1.6% YoY, supported by a similar rise in clean pig kill. Average carcase weights remained stable at around 90.3 kg. Warm weather slightly reduced weights in recent weeks.

Original reporting by AHDB