AHDB Expands Export Team to Support Red Meat Trade in Asia and Africa

Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has strengthened its international capability with the appointment of Henry Glover as Senior Trade Development Manager, boosting support for British red meat exports across Asia and Africa.

AHDB said Glover brings more than six years’ experience in the red meat processing sector, adding practical commercial insight to its export development work. His role will focus on helping exporters identify opportunities, navigate market access challenges and build long-term demand in high-growth regions.

Jonathan Eckley, AHDB’s International Trade Development Director, said the appointment underlines the organisation’s commitment to maximising global opportunities for British red meat, particularly as exporters look beyond traditional European markets.

The move reflects AHDB’s wider strategy to support market diversification, at a time when global demand patterns, trade policy and disease status continue to reshape international protein flows.

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Source: AHDB | 21 January 2026

NFU Raises Concerns Over Extended Tariff Free Access for Ukrainian Poultry

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has raised strong concerns over the UK government’s decision to extend tariff-free access for Ukrainian poultry and eggs by a further two years, warning of potential harm to domestic producers.

The measure will remain in place until March 2028, continuing preferential access introduced in response to the war in Ukraine. While the NFU supports aid for Ukraine, it argues that prolonged tariff-free imports risk undermining UK poultry and egg producers already facing high feed, energy and labour costs.

The union also highlighted ongoing avian influenza pressures, which have increased costs and disrupted production across the UK poultry sector. NFU representatives warned that continued import liberalisation without safeguards could weaken domestic supply resilience and discourage investment.

The issue underscores the growing tension between trade policy, geopolitical support measures and domestic food security, as UK producers seek assurance that temporary trade arrangements do not become long-term structural disadvantages.

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Source: NFUonline | 21 January 2026

MLA Launches Rare Medium 2026 to Shape Future of Red Meat on Australian Menus

Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) has launched Rare Medium 2026, its latest long-term foodservice trends report. This is designed to guide how red meat will feature on Australian menus over the next decade.

According to Meat & Livestock Australia, the report draws on extensive consumer research, chef insights and global dining trends. As a result, it helps producers, processors and foodservice operators adapt red meat offerings to changing expectations.

Key themes highlighted include:

Growing demand for premium, provenance-led beef and lamb

Increased focus on sustainability, nose-to-tail utilisation and value-led cuts

The influence of global flavours and multicultural dining

A shift towards flexitarian menus, where red meat is eaten less frequently but with higher quality expectations

MLA said Rare Medium 2026 is intended to support the entire red meat supply chain. It does this by aligning production and product development with how consumers actually choose meals, rather than focusing solely on volume growth.

The report positions red meat as a hero ingredient when executed well. It suggests that future success lies in storytelling, eating experience and menu relevance rather than price competition alone.

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Source: Meat & Livestock Australia | January 2026

China Lifts Ban on Canadian Beef, Reopening Key Export Market

China has officially lifted its ban on Canadian beef. This reopens a major export market that had been closed since an atypical BSE case was identified in Canada in December 2021.

The decision restores access to what was previously Canada’s fourth-largest beef export destination. The move is expected to support Canadian processors seeking to rebalance exports toward Asia.

However, exporters face important constraints. Canadian beef entering China will be subject to significant tariffs. It must also compete within a general import quota. This places it alongside other global suppliers rather than under preferential access. Industry representatives note that while the reopening is strategically positive, commercial volumes may ramp up gradually.

The decision underscores China’s continued use of BSE risk management and market controls in shaping beef imports. Additionally, it comes as Asian demand remains a key outlet for higher-value cuts and carcase balance for exporting nations.

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Source: CBC News | 20 January 2026

Irish Factory Beef Prices Hold Firm This Week

Irish factory beef prices have held steady this week, with most processors maintaining quotes at similar levels to the previous week despite ongoing concerns around cattle availability.

According to reporting by Agriland.ie, steer prices are generally quoted at €7.00–€7.05/kg, while heifer prices are holding at €7.10–€7.15/kg. Flat prices and in-spec bonuses remain broadly unchanged.

Processors are reported to be confident in demand, particularly for retail and export markets, but continue to flag tight supplies as a limiting factor. The stability follows a period of strong year-on-year price growth across the Irish beef sector, underpinned by lower kill numbers and high farmgate values.

Market participants suggest that while factories are keen to avoid further price escalation in the short term, limited cattle availability is likely to keep prices well supported into the coming weeks.

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Source: Agriland.ie | 19 January 2026

Forequarter Beef Prices Jump Over 40% in 2025

Factory beef sale prices in Ireland recorded substantial year on year growth in 2025, reflecting a firm pricing environment across the beef supply chain, according to new data published by the Agri-Food Regulator. Notably, factory beef sale prices Ireland have become a key indicator of market strength this year.

Analysis reported by Agriland.ie shows that, as of mid-December 2025, prices achieved by processors rose sharply across key beef categories. Forequarter beef increased by 42.5%, while hindquarters were up 28.18% compared with the previous year. Minced beef prices also climbed strongly, rising 29.32% year on year.

The figures underline the scale of value growth seen in the Irish beef sector over the past year, driven by tight cattle supplies, elevated farmgate prices and resilient demand. Furthermore, factory beef sale prices Ireland have supported returns through the entire supply chain, but they also reflect increased raw material costs facing processors.

The data provides further evidence of how constrained livestock availability has reshaped pricing dynamics across the Irish beef market heading into 2026. In summary, monitoring factory beef sale prices Ireland will remain essential for understanding the market outlook.

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Source: Agriland.ie  | 18 January 2026

Flooding and Firm Demand Shake Australian Livestock Markets

Extreme weather across Queensland and Victoria disrupted saleyard operations and buyer attendance this week, leading to uneven yardings and increased price volatility across cattle and sheep markets.

Restocker demand remained strong, lifting the Yearling Steer Indicator by 37¢ to 497¢/kg liveweight, while processor cow prices broadly held despite increased yardings. Meanwhile, cattle slaughter continued to rise sharply, while sheep and lamb slaughter remained well below year-ago levels.

Cattle market

Flooding forced the cancellation of the Gracemere sale at the Central Queensland Livestock Exchange, with saleyard supply across Queensland remaining tight. In New South Wales, pricing was largely quality driven, with hot and dry conditions bringing more secondary-condition cattle to market.

Singleton recorded its largest yarding since February 2018, reaching 1,816 head, dominated by steer and heifer weaners. Dubbo also saw a notable lift in numbers.

Strong restocker competition from southern Queensland and northern NSW pushed the Restocker Yearling Steer Indicator to 497¢/kg lwt. Roma delivered standout results, with:

• 200–280kg yearling steers selling up to 598¢/kg

• 280–330kg steers reaching 596¢/kg

The Processor Cow Indicator eased 2¢ to 384¢/kg lwt, reflecting a yarding increase to 6,906 head. Despite this, prices held relatively firm due to good numbers of well-finished cattle, while lighter cows attracted solid demand in NSW.

Sheep market

Victorian lamb markets showed a clear split between well-weighted, good-quality lambs and drier, plainer types. A strong offering of unshorn lambs at Ballarat generated active restocker and feedlot interest.

Despite limited quality mutton in some centres, competition remained intense, lifting the Mutton Indicator by 4¢ to 758¢/kg carcase weight (cwt). Increased yardings allowed buyers to be more selective in heavier categories.

The Heavy Lamb Indicator fell 27¢ to 1,044¢/kg cwt, reflecting inconsistent supply of heavy lambs and variable buyer participation across key saleyards.

Slaughter

Week ending 9 January 2026

Cattle slaughter reached 127,354 head, up 17% year on year, with female slaughter at 49,263 head, representing a female slaughter rate (FSR) of 39%.

Cattle slaughter by state (YoY):

• NSW: 31,241 (-3%)

• Queensland: 59,319 (+29%)

• Victoria: 24,636 (+28%)

• South Australia: 3,049 (-16%)

• Tasmania: 4,995 (+2%)

• Western Australia: 4,114 (+61%)

Sheep slaughter remained low at 129,989 head, down 34% year on year, while lamb slaughter declined 3% to 458,252 head.

Lamb slaughter by state (YoY):

• NSW: 98,033 (-11%)

• Queensland: 1,136 (-9%)

• Victoria: 265,194 (+12%)

• South Australia: 36,068 (-36%)

• Tasmania: 8,900 (-5%)

• Western Australia: 48,921 (-14%)

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Source: Meat & Livestock Australia | 16 January 2026

Attribution: Stephanie Pitt, NLRS Manager

Supply Constraints Underpin Livestock Prices

UK cattle and sheep markets remained well supported over the past week, with tight livestock availability continuing to underpin prices, according to the latest market wrap from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

Prime cattle prices held firm, supported by restricted numbers and steady buyer demand. Deadweight prices remained close to recent highs, with processors continuing to compete for limited supplies. AHDB noted that throughput remains constrained, reinforcing the structural tightness seen across the beef sector.

The lamb trade also stayed strong, with limited lamb availability maintaining pressure on buyers. Deadweight and liveweight prices were broadly stable to firmer, reflecting ongoing supply-side constraints rather than any significant change in demand conditions.

AHDB said current market conditions continue to favour producers, with supply levels expected to remain tight in the near term, particularly for sheep, helping to support values into the early part of 2026.

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Source: AHDB | 16 January 2026

New English Regulations Mandate Sheep Carcase Classification

New regulations in England now require mandatory sheep carcase classification and price reporting for large abattoirs. This brings the sheep sector further into line with existing rules for beef and pork.

According to the British Meat Industry Association, the measures are intended to improve market transparency. They give producers clearer insight into how carcases are graded and how prices are formed at slaughter.

However, the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) has voiced frustration over a one-year delay in the approval of new automated grading technology. The group warns that the hold-up risks increasing compliance costs and operational pressure for processors. The BMPA argues that faster adoption of automated systems would support accuracy, consistency and efficiency across plants.

The regulations apply to larger abattoirs in England, with equivalent measures already in place or being introduced elsewhere in the UK. These changes form part of a broader drive to strengthen supply-chain transparency and fairness in the livestock sector.

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Source: British Meat Industry Association | 16 January 2026