Ireland Confirms First Bluetongue Case in Wexford Herd

The first confirmed case of bluetongue virus has been detected in the Republic of Ireland. This marks a significant biosecurity development for the Irish livestock sector.

According to reporting by The Irish Times, the virus was identified in a cattle herd in Co. Wexford during routine surveillance. The disease is spread by biting midges and affects ruminants, including cattle, sheep and goats.

Irish authorities said the detection highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring, particularly as bluetongue has been advancing northwards across parts of Europe. While cattle often show mild or no symptoms, sheep are more severely affected. Outbreaks can lead to production losses, movement restrictions and trade disruption.

The case is expected to trigger enhanced surveillance and potential movement controls. Industry stakeholders are watching closely for any implications for live animal trade and exports. Biosecurity officials stressed that bluetongue does not pose a risk to human health or food safety, but can have serious economic consequences for livestock producers.

The confirmation underscores growing concern within the sector about the impact of climate change and vector-borne diseases. Milder winters and warmer conditions expand the range of disease-carrying insects.

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Source: The Irish Times | 24 January 2026

Meatex Launches Zero Commission Marketplace for the Food Trade

Trade only platform removes fees and commissions, giving suppliers full control and higher margins. This zero commission food marketplace empowers businesses to keep more of their profits while accessing a wider customer base.

Meatex, the UK’s leading B2B food trading platform, has today announced the launch of its new zero commission marketplace model, allowing food suppliers to list products for free, deal directly with buyers, and keep 100% of their profits.

The move removes traditional marketplace fees and commissions that often erode supplier margins, offering a simpler, fairer and more transparent way for wholesale food businesses to trade online.

Under the new model:

• Suppliers list products for free
• Buyers browse and connect for free
• No commission is charged on any deal
• Suppliers deal directly with buyers

The platform supports trading across meat, poultry, seafood, frozen, chilled and surplus food products, connecting verified trade buyers and sellers across the UK and internationally.

Tony Vardy, Founder of Meatex, commented: “The food trade is built on relationships, trust and speed. Traditional marketplaces often add friction, fees and complexity. We wanted to strip all of that away. Zero commission means suppliers keep their margin, buyers get sharper pricing, and deals happen faster. It’s how trading should work.”

Meatex has grown rapidly as a professional trade only platform, attracting wholesalers, manufacturers, processors, caterers and distributors seeking a clean, commission free route to market without consumer noise, hidden costs or platform interference.

The launch also reflects Meatex’s wider ambition to become the UK’s leading digital trading hub for wholesale food, combining marketplace trading with classified ads, recruitment, trade news and finance solutions.

“We’re not trying to replace relationships,” Vardy added. “We’re simply giving the trade better digital tools to trade smarter, faster and more profitably.”

Suppliers can register, list products and start selling immediately at www.meatex.co.uk

UK Cattle and Sheep Markets Show Mixed Trends This Week

UK cattle and sheep markets delivered a mixed performance this week, with cattle prices generally steady to slightly firmer, while lamb values showed variation depending on quality and region.

According to the latest update from Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), prime cattle prices remained well supported, underpinned by tight availability and continued processor demand. Slaughter numbers remain historically low, reinforcing underlying market firmness despite ongoing cost pressures further along the supply chain.

Cull cow prices were largely stable, with demand holding up across most regions as processors seek to maintain throughput levels amid constrained supply.

Sheep market

In the sheep sector, lamb prices showed mixed movements, with stronger returns for well-finished and heavier-weight lambs, while plainer types came under pressure. AHDB noted that buyer demand remains selective, reflecting cautious retail and wholesale conditions.

Mutton prices eased slightly in some areas, although overall throughput remains limited following significant destocking earlier in the season.

Slaughter and supply

AHDB data continues to highlight structural tightness in UK red meat supply, particularly in beef. While slaughter levels have stabilised compared with late 2025, they remain well below historical norms, supporting price levels into early 2026.

Market analysts say near-term price direction will remain closely tied to availability rather than demand growth, with limited signs of any material increase in livestock numbers.

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Source: AHDB | 23 January 2026

China Caps Australian Beef Imports, Reshaping Global Trade Flows

China has introduced a new safeguard regime on Australian beef, capping imports at 205,000 metric tonnes for 2026 and imposing a 55% tariff on volumes above the quota, a move expected to alter global beef trade patterns.

According to analysis from S&P Global, the cap will force Australian exporters to redirect product into alternative markets, including Southeast Asia, the Middle East and North America. While in-quota beef will continue to enter China duty-free, the steep over-quota tariff effectively limits further growth.

China is a critical destination for Australian beef, particularly for manufacturing beef and secondary cuts that support carcase balance. With the cap in place, analysts expect increased competition and price pressure in non-Chinese markets as Australian volumes seek new homes.

The move also has wider implications. Reduced Australian supply growth into China could open space for other exporters, notably Brazil and New Zealand, while contributing to greater price volatility across global beef markets.

S&P Global noted that the safeguard reflects China’s broader strategy of protecting domestic producers while managing import dependency, using quotas and tariffs to fine-tune supply rather than impose outright bans.

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Source: S&P Global | 23 January 2026

Amsterdam Set to Become First Capital City to Ban Meat Advertising

Amsterdam is set to become the first capital city in the world to ban meat advertising. This comes as part of a broader policy aimed at reducing the environmental impact of food consumption.

According to reporting by Food Manufacture, the Dutch capital plans to prohibit advertisements for meat and other high emission food products across public spaces. These spaces include billboards, metro stations and bus shelters. The ban is expected to be phased in from 2027.

The decision has drawn criticism from farming and food industry groups. Critics warn that the policy risks stigmatizing legal food products. It could also undermine consumer choice and set a precedent that could spread to other European cities.

Industry representatives have also raised concerns about regulatory overreach. They note that meat production is already subject to environmental controls. Furthermore, they argue that advertising bans do not address demand fundamentals or food security considerations.

The move adds to growing pressure on the meat sector from policy-driven sustainability measures. Governments are increasingly targeting consumption behaviour alongside production practices.

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Source: Food Manufacture | 23 January 2026

Cattle Prices Ease While Lamb Strengthens in Australian Market

Australian cattle markets softened in the week to 23 January, with all major indicators easing except restocker steers, while lamb prices strengthened as reduced supply met firm buyer demand.

According to the latest weekly wrap from Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), the Restocker Yearling Steer Indicator continued to firm as demand for grass-ready cattle remained strong early in 2026. Yardings lifted week-on-week, but competition for suitable steers persisted.

In contrast, the National Processor Cow Indicator fell 10¢ to 372¢/kg liveweight, reflecting a decline in quality and increased female turn-off. Southern New South Wales producers were reported to be offloading cows with calves amid tightening feed conditions.

Sheep market

Lamb prices rose, supported by lower yardings ahead of the Australia Day public holiday. The Trade Lamb Indicator increased 30¢ to 1,085¢/kg carcase weight, driven by strong competition for well-finished lambs. Trade lamb throughput fell by more than 6,400 head week-on-week.

Mutton prices softened slightly, with the Mutton Indicator down 1¢ to 749¢/kg cwt, as buyer numbers eased despite higher supply.

Slaughter trends

National cattle slaughter rose to 138,344 head, as processors returned to full capacity following the New Year shutdown. All states recorded week-on-week increases except Queensland, where flooding disrupted operations and throughput fell 4% year-on-year.

Sheep and lamb slaughter continued to trend lower year-on-year, with national sheepmeat throughput down 14%. The decline reflects both producer retention and reduced availability following heavy destocking earlier in 2025.

MLA said the data points to ongoing supply tightness, particularly in sheepmeat, while cattle markets remain sensitive to seasonal conditions and feed availability.

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Source: Meat & Livestock Australia | 23 January 2026
Attribution: Emiliano Diaz, MLA Senior Market Information Analyst

EU–Mercosur Trade Deal Faces Legal Challenge

The EU–Mercosur trade agreement has been referred to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for legal scrutiny, adding a fresh layer of uncertainty to one of the most contentious trade deals affecting the European meat sector.

According to reporting by The Irish Times, a group of MEPs has formally requested a legal review to determine whether the deal’s proposed ratification process complies with EU law. The challenge centres on whether the agreement can be provisionally applied without full approval from national parliaments.

The development is likely to delay implementation timelines, even as EU officials signal readiness to move toward provisional application. For the Irish beef sector, the legal challenge reinforces long-standing concerns over increased access for lower-cost South American beef, particularly from Brazil and Argentina.

Farming organisations argue that the deal risks undermining EU producers who operate under higher environmental, animal welfare and traceability standards. Supporters of the agreement maintain that safeguards and tariff quotas will limit market disruption and open wider export opportunities for EU industries.

The referral to the ECJ highlights the deep political and legal divisions surrounding Mercosur, suggesting that even if approved in principle, the deal may face a prolonged and complex path to full implementation.

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Source: The Irish Times | 24 January 2026

Uncertainty Grows Over Fate of Dogs as South Korea’s Dog Meat Ban Nears

Uncertainty is mounting over the fate of around half a million dogs as South Korea moves closer to implementing a nationwide ban on the dog meat industry. This situation is raising complex welfare, economic and enforcement challenges.

According to reporting by The Korea Times, the legislation — passed in 2024 — is set to come fully into force in 2027. It will ban the breeding, slaughter, distribution and sale of dog meat. While the law provides a transition period for farmers and traders, concerns remain about what will happen to dogs currently in the system.

Industry groups and animal welfare organisations warn that rehoming capacity is limited, both domestically and overseas. Without clear government-backed solutions, large numbers of animals could be left in limbo. Dog meat farms have argued that compensation and exit support remain insufficient. Meanwhile, authorities have stressed that enforcement and welfare plans are still being developed.

The issue highlights the practical challenges of dismantling an established livestock sector, even one in decline. Dog meat consumption in South Korea has fallen sharply in recent years, particularly among younger consumers. However, production infrastructure and animal populations remain.

The transition is being closely watched internationally, as it represents one of the most significant policy-driven exits from a meat sector anywhere in the world. There are implications for animal welfare policy, rural livelihoods and regulatory enforcement.

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Source: The Korea Times | 22 January 2026

EU Pork Prices Plunge as Rising Production Weighs on Market

EU pork prices have fallen to their lowest level since March 2022, as rising production and market disruption combine to place heavy downward pressure on values across the bloc.

According to the latest market update from Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), the EU grade S reference price dropped to 132.68p/kg in the week ending 11 January 2026. The decline has been particularly sharp in Spain, where an African swine fever (ASF) outbreak has accelerated market weakness, with prices falling 37.73p/kg in just six weeks.

EU pig meat production continues to expand, totalling 18.2 million tonnes between January and October, up 4% year on year. The increase in supply has outpaced demand growth, intensifying competition within the single market and dragging prices lower.

The downturn has also widened the UK–EU pork price gap to 65.46p/kg, the largest differential in more than a decade, highlighting the contrasting supply dynamics between the UK and continental Europe.

AHDB said the situation underlines the ongoing vulnerability of the EU pork sector to disease events, production cycles and export pressure, with price volatility likely to persist into 2026.

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Source: AHDB | 22 January 2026

JBS Aims to Double Output at New Saudi Chicken Plant

JBS, the world’s largest meatpacker, plans to double production output at its new chicken processing facility in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, by the end of 2026, signalling a major expansion of capacity in the Middle East.

According to reporting by Reuters, the plant forms part of JBS’s broader strategy to position itself closer to high-growth consumption markets. Rising demand for poultry across the Gulf region, driven by population growth, foodservice expansion and food security priorities, has underpinned the investment.

The expansion will significantly increase local processing volumes, reducing reliance on imports and strengthening Saudi Arabia’s domestic protein supply chain. It also reflects a wider trend of global processors investing directly in regional capacity, rather than serving markets solely through exports.

Industry analysts note that the Middle East is becoming an increasingly strategic destination for protein investment, as governments seek to enhance self-sufficiency, halal-certified production and supply resilience.

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Source: Reuters | 22 January 2026