Hungary Ends Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak June 2025

The latest Hungary ends Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak June 2025 update brings relief to farmers and exporters. Agriculture Minister István Nagy confirmed that the outbreak in Kisbajcs, near the Slovakian border, has been successfully contained.

Outbreak and Response

The first FMD case appeared on 7 March 2025 at a cattle farm in northwestern Hungary. Authorities quickly identified five affected farms. They introduced strict movement restrictions and carried out targeted livestock culling to prevent further spread. Since then, no new cases have been detected for over six weeks, and disinfection of affected sites is still underway.

Minister Nagy declared, “The virus is gone,” underlining the effectiveness of the country’s rapid response. His statement reassured both local farmers and trading partners that the disease was no longer a threat.

Trade and Economic Impact

During the outbreak, the European Union and the United Kingdom suspended imports of Hungarian livestock and beef products. These restrictions hit the Hungarian meat sector hard, limiting access to key export markets. Now that the Hungary ends Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak June 2025 decision has been confirmed by the EU, trade can gradually resume.

However, the outbreak still left lasting effects. Farmers lost animals due to mandatory culling, and the incident disrupted supply chains across Hungary and Slovakia. Additionally, officials continue to investigate the origin of the outbreak. Some government figures, including Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s chief of staff, even suggested the possibility of a deliberate biological attack.

Outlook for Producers

With restrictions lifted, Hungarian exporters can reconnect with valuable EU and UK buyers. Yet recovery will take time, as rebuilding herds is a slow process. For the wider European beef and sheep sectors, the reopening of Hungarian livestock trade may increase competition but also strengthen regional supply.

In conclusion, the Hungary ends Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak June 2025 update signals a positive step forward. Nonetheless, ongoing vigilance and biosecurity will be vital to protect the future of Hungarian livestock producers.

Source: Reuters 

Aussie Beef Processing June 2025 Update: Mutton Prices Surge

Australia – 6 June 2025. The Aussie beef processing June 2025 update highlights strong cattle throughput and soaring mutton prices. According to Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), the sector is showing resilience despite seasonal pressures and ongoing supply challenges.

Cattle Market Overview

Cattle yardings rose 8,345 head, bringing the total to 72,045 for the week ending 6 June. This increase reflects stronger movement of processor cows, restocker heifers, and feeder steers. In addition, the Heavy Steer Indicator improved slightly, climbing 6¢ to 361¢/kg liveweight (lwt).

Queensland and New South Wales both reported steady volumes, with Victoria recording a notable 408¢/kg lwt. Meanwhile, restocker heifers eased by 11¢ to 319¢/kg lwt, showing mixed demand trends.

Mutton Market Highlights

In contrast to cattle, mutton values rose sharply. Prices hit their highest levels since 2022, supported by strong global and domestic demand. Tighter sheep supplies added momentum, pushing the mutton trade higher week on week.

Slaughter Volumes

Beef processing reached one of its strongest levels this year. National cattle slaughter totalled 152,530 head, maintaining robust output. Despite a shorter week due to public holidays, volumes remained firm and were 10% higher than the same week in 2024.

Sheep and lamb slaughter also increased. Lamb numbers climbed to 461,658 head, while sheep throughput reached 177,918, bringing the combined total to 639,576 head. Although only slightly lower than the week before, this remains a solid level for winter.

Outlook

Overall, the Aussie beef processing June 2025 update reveals a dynamic red meat sector. Beef supplies are steady, while mutton prices are soaring on tighter availability. Looking ahead, processor capacity and seasonal conditions will play a major role in shaping both cattle and sheep markets through the rest of winter.

Original source: MLA

UK Livestock Market Update – Cattle Prices Ease, Sheep Throughput Climbs

The UK livestock market experienced a price adjustment during the week ending 24 May 2025. According to the AHDB Weekly Cattle and Sheep Market Wrap, cattle prices declined for the third consecutive week, while sheep throughput increased significantly.

Cattle Market Overview

Prime cattle prices averaged 677p/kg, continuing a downward trend. Despite this recent fall, prices remain well above levels recorded during the same week in 2024. Estimated prime cattle slaughterings fell slightly to 35,600 head. However, this figure is still 3 per cent higher than the same week last year, indicating sustained processing activity.

Sheep Market Trends

The sheep sector showed mixed pricing but strong supply:

• New season lambs averaged 753p/kg (SQQ), reflecting seasonal demand.
• Old season lambs averaged 660p/kg, marking a typical shift in market focus.
• Clean sheep slaughter totalled 218,400 head, up 2 per cent from the previous week and 23 per cent higher year-on-year.

This increase in throughput suggests a robust supply of lambs entering the market. AHDB analysts note that market dynamics are adjusting in response to evolving demand and supply levels

Broader Market Context

Recent AHDB forecasts indicate a 4 per cent drop in UK beef production for 2025, while lamb production is expected to rise due to a larger carryover from 2024

Retail beef prices continue to climb, which may impact consumer demand in both retail and foodservice sectors

For related updates, see our coverage on UK cattle and sheep market trends and livestock auction performance

Source: AHDB

AHDB Hosts Largest Ever Red Meat Trade Mission – June 2025

The UK red meat trade mission reached a new milestone in June 2025. The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) welcomed 28 international buyers to the largest inward trade mission it has ever organised. Delegates came from the Americas, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

Promoting British Red Meat

AHDB designed the four-day event to showcase the quality, safety, and sustainability of British beef, lamb, and pork. Delegates visited farms and processing sites in the West Country. These visits gave them direct insight into the UK’s high production standards and traceability systems.

In addition, buyers attended live demonstrations and product tastings. They also met UK exporters to explore trade opportunities. The mission concluded with a gala dinner in London, which encouraged further dialogue on future trade.

Strategic Impact on UK Meat Exports

This mission supports the UK’s growing presence in global meat markets. In 2024, red meat exports reached £1.77 billion. Strong beef shipments to Europe and rising demand in Asia and the Middle East drove this growth.

AHDB’s initiative reinforces the UK’s commitment to expanding agricultural exports. It also highlights the country’s ability to meet international demand for premium red meat.

Global Beef Market Faces Uncertainty Amid Production Declines and Trade Disruptions

The global beef industry is navigating a period of significant uncertainty, with Rabobank forecasting a 2% contraction in global beef production for the remainder of 2025. This downturn is attributed to herd reductions in major producing countries, marking the first global supply decline since the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the first half of 2025, cattle markets have experienced upward trends, particularly in Europe, where prices have surged due to tightening supplies. However, the market faces additional challenges from geopolitical factors, including the reintroduction of tariffs and trade policy shifts under the current U.S. administration, leading to increased volatility in global beef trade.

Amid these challenges, Australia stands out as a positive exception. Favourable seasonal conditions have bolstered cattle numbers, resulting in near-record beef production. This positions Australia advantageously in export markets, especially as other major producers experience declines. Rabobank anticipates that Australian cattle prices will remain relatively stable throughout 2025, supported by strong global demand.

Conversely, South American producers are increasingly focusing on exports to meet rising global demand, potentially at the expense of their domestic markets. In the United States, the beef industry is entering a rebuilding phase, with expectations of higher prices across all cattle and beef markets. This necessitates strategic adjustments by producers and processors to manage elevated costs and limited availability.

Overall, the global beef market is contending with a complex array of factors, including supply constraints, trade disruptions, and shifting production dynamics. Stakeholders across the industry will need to adapt to these evolving conditions to maintain stability and meet global demand.

Information sourced and adapted from Rabobank and Agriland.ie.

Surrey Farmers Face Mounting Challenges as Local Abattoirs Close

SURREY, ENGLAND – June 4, 2025 – Farmers in Surrey are grappling with a growing crisis as local abattoirs continue to close, forcing them to seek increasingly distant options for processing their livestock, according to a BBC report. The closures are raising significant concerns about the resilience of the local food supply chain and the future of traditional farming practices.

James Windridge, who heads farming operations at the Hampton Estate in Seale near Farnham, highlighted the immediate impact, revealing his struggle to find a suitable local alternative after his usual abattoir ceased operations four months ago. This sentiment is echoed by the owner of one of the few remaining small abattoirs in south-east England, who expressed serious apprehensions about the industry’s future viability.

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) acknowledged the crucial role that small abattoirs play in maintaining a robust and resilient food supply chain. Despite this recognition, industry figures are calling for more tangible support.

Luke Smith, who operates Down Land Traditional Meats, emphasised the urgent need for increased financial assistance from the government to ensure the survival of these vital slaughterhouses. The government has stated its commitment to collaborating with the meat processing sector and noted its ongoing investment of £5 billion into farming. However, for many local farmers, the immediate challenge remains the accessibility of local processing facilities as the number of available abattoirs continues to dwindle.

UK Achieves “Negligible” BSE Risk Status, Boosting Farm Sector and Trade

UNITED KINGDOM – June 2, 2025 – The United Kingdom’s international risk status for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) has been officially downgraded to “negligible” by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). This pivotal change is expected to deliver a substantial boost to the UK’s food and farm sector, opening up significant new trade opportunities globally.

According to Gov.uk, this improved risk status for British beef and bovine products means more countries are likely to open their markets to UK exports. Furthermore, the abattoir and meat processing industry stands to benefit from reduced operational burdens and considerable financial savings due to subsequent adjustments in control measures.

The UK’s success in achieving this negligible risk rating is a testament to its exceptionally high standards in biosecurity and the rigorous controls that have been diligently implemented over several decades. Farming Minister Zeichner highlighted the positive impact on trade and animal health, while UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss underscored the robust food safety systems in place. Natasha Smith, Deputy Director of Food Policy at the Food Standards Agency, also reinforced the commitment to maintaining these high standards.

The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) has already noted the potential financial upside of this downgrade. For instance, the ability to recover mesenteric fat, previously restricted due to BSE concerns, could alone generate approximately £10 million per year for the industry. This downgrading marks a significant milestone, reinforcing confidence in British beef and paving the way for expanded international trade.

China Imposes Nationwide Ban on Brazilian Poultry Over Avian Influenza, Reuters Reports

BEIJING – May 30, 2025 – China has issued a comprehensive ban on all imports of poultry and related products from Brazil, citing an avian influenza outbreak, according to Reuters. This broad prohibition comes two weeks after Beijing initially suspended import applications from individual Brazilian poultry farms.

The General Administration of Customs of China, in a notice dated May 29, declared that all direct and indirect Brazilian poultry imports are now prohibited. Any such products brought or mailed into the country will be returned or destroyed. Furthermore, all animal and plant waste from incoming ships originating from Brazil must undergo treatment under customs supervision and cannot be discarded without explicit authorisation.

The drastic measure follows Brazil’s confirmation on May 16 of a bird flu outbreak on a commercial poultry farm located in Montenegro, in its southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul. This single confirmed outbreak triggered a wave of international trade bans against the world’s largest poultry exporter and China’s primary chicken meat supplier.

Despite requests from the Brazilian government to limit any embargo to poultry products solely from the affected city, China’s announcement indicates it has opted for a nationwide ban. While China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates are key destinations for Brazilian chicken exports, the latter three countries have only imposed statewide bans. The European Union and South Korea have also enacted bans on Brazilian chicken.

Brazil’s poultry industry is a global powerhouse, having exported approximately $10 billion worth of chicken meat in 2024, accounting for roughly 35% of the global trade. This nationwide ban from China, a crucial market, is expected to inflict significant economic pain not only on Brazilian farmers but also on major importers.

Irish Pig Prices Show Upward Trajectory Amidst Tight Supplies

IRELAND – May 30, 2025 – Deadweight pig prices in Ireland are demonstrating an upward trend, driven by relatively tight supplies for slaughter, despite a slight dip in reported averages last week.

Producers reported an average price of €2.20/kg available from processors, though some are achieving prices 4c/kg higher, signalling robust demand for pigs. For the week ending May 4th, 2025, the average reported price paid for Grade E pig carcasses in Ireland was €2.11/kg (excluding VAT). This current Irish price is 1.8% lower than the corresponding week last year, when the Grade E pig price stood at €2.15/kg.

Across the European Union, the average price for a Grade E carcass for the same week (ending May 4th, 2025) was €2.05/kg (excluding VAT). This marks a slight increase of 2c/kg from the previous week’s EU average, but remains 6% (14c/kg) behind prices for the same month last year, when the EU average pig price was €2.19/kg.

In terms of throughput, while there has been an improvement in the last quarter, demand continues to outstrip supplies. Total year-to-date throughput stands at 1,164,951 head, marginally behind the corresponding period in 2024. For the week ending May 4th, throughput was 69,578 head, including 1,812 sows. There was a 5% increase in the total throughput of fattener pigs during the first quarter of 2025, indicating growing production despite overall supply constraints.

Bord Bia

Irish Lamb Prices Firming Amidst Tight Supply, Though Deadweight Prices Dip Slightly

IRELAND – [May 30, 2025] – The Irish lamb market is showing signs of firming, driven by tight supplies and stable demand, although deadweight prices experienced a slight dip recently.

Base quotes from major processors had been declining for several weeks, but the week ending April 27th saw an increase, with offers reaching €8.70-€8.80/kg for well-finished lambs, including Quality Assurance (QA) bonuses. Sellers achieving prices at the higher end of the market have also successfully negotiated increased carcass weight allowances up to 23kg.

This strengthening trade is attributed to relatively constrained lamb supplies combined with consistent demand from both domestic and export markets throughout 2024 and into early 2025. Tight lamb supplies are also a trend across key European and UK lamb-producing regions, as evidenced by Eurostat figures indicating a contraction in breeding flock numbers. In Ireland, the ewe flock decreased by 3.7% in the December 2023 census compared to December 2022, representing a reduction of 107,000 head and contributing to the current supply tightness.

Reported deadweight prices for the week ending April 27th increased by 42c/kg to €8.63/kg, however this reflects a slight drop following two consecutive weeks of price increases. In the corresponding week of 2024, the reported deadweight price was significantly higher at €9.43/kg. The deadweight trade has also seen a slight decline across UK regions, with reported lamb prices in mainland GB at €8.05/kg (-15c/kg) and in Northern Ireland at €8.82/kg for the week ending April 27th 2025.

While Southern Hemisphere prices remain below European levels, they have improved considerably in recent weeks, narrowing the price differential with the EU. This recent improvement should impact their competitiveness in EU markets in the medium to longer term. This week, prices in Australia and New Zealand are at €4.67/kg and €4.50/kg, showing a slight increase and decrease respectively.

There was a decrease in the total sheep kill in Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) approved plants last week, totalling 32,881 head, compared to 34,712 in the same week of 2024. A smaller lamb crop and difficult lambing conditions have contributed to the tighter supplies and reduced throughput. Total year-to-date (TYD) slaughter is down 18% on 2024, totalling 689,550 head.

Original source: Bord Bia