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

Premium British Food Finds Growing US Demand

Growing demand in North America is creating significant export opportunities for British red meat and dairy, according to new analysis from Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

The report points to strong interest in premium British products, particularly high-quality beef, lamb, and artisanal cheeses, as US, Canadian, and Mexican consumers increasingly seek provenance, quality, and differentiated food offerings. AHDB says British producers are well placed to capitalise on this trend, especially in higher-value retail and foodservice channels.

North America already represents an important growth market for UK agri-food exports, and AHDB believes there is further scope to expand volumes and value through targeted promotion, brand positioning, and continued market access development.

The findings underline the importance of export diversification for the UK meat and dairy sectors, as producers look beyond traditional EU markets to drive future growth.

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Source: AHDB | 13 January 2026

Tight Lamb Supplies Drive Prices Above £7/kg

Tight lamb availability has pushed UK prices above £7/kg, delivering a strong start to the year for the lamb trade, according to market data reported by Farmers Weekly.

The GB deadweight Standard Quality Quotation (SQQ) reached 721p/kg in the first week of January, reflecting limited numbers coming forward and keen buyer interest following the Christmas period. Processors and buyers have been competing for supply, underpinning prices despite broader cost pressures across the supply chain.

The firm opening highlights ongoing structural tightness in the lamb sector, with lower throughput continuing to support values into early 2026. Market participants remain focused on availability rather than demand side weakness, suggesting prices are likely to stay well supported in the near term.

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Source: Farmers Weekly | 13 January 2026

China Quotas Open Door for More NZ Beef

New Chinese safeguard tariffs on beef imports are expected to benefit New Zealand farmers and exporters, while constraining supply from competitors, according to reporting by Rural News Group NZ.

China has introduced 55% duties on beef imported above quota levels, while beef shipped within country quotas continues to enjoy duty-free access. New Zealand has been allocated an annual beef quota of 206,000 tonnes for 2026, rising to 214,000 tonnes in subsequent years. This is well above New Zealand’s recent export volumes, which have averaged around 150,000 tonnes, leaving significant headroom for growth.

In contrast, Australia is expected to hit its quota earlier, raising the risk of a supply shortfall that industry estimates could reach up to 200,000 tonnes. As a result, New Zealand is well positioned to fill any gap in Chinese demand, particularly for manufacturing and commodity beef.

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Source: Rural News Group NZ | 13 January 2026

China Reopens Market to Irish Beef

China has formally reopened its market to Irish beef, restoring access after a suspension linked to an isolated case of atypical BSE, according to reporting by Reuters.

Irish authorities confirmed that exports can now resume following agreement with Chinese regulators, allowing approved plants to restart shipments. The reopening restores access to one of the world’s most important beef import markets.

China had been a growing destination for Irish beef prior to the suspension, particularly for manufacturing beef and secondary cuts. The resumption of trade is seen as a positive signal for Ireland’s export diversification strategy beyond the UK and EU.

The development also underlines China’s continued importance in global beef trade flows, where regulatory decisions can have a rapid and material impact on international pricing and availability.

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Source: Reuters | 12 January 2026

UK Cattle and Sheep Markets Hold Firm as Supply Tightens

UK cattle and sheep markets remained firm this week, with prices supported by tight availability and steady demand, according to the latest weekly market update from AHDB.

Cattle values continue to reflect limited numbers coming forward, while sheep prices have been underpinned by constrained supply and ongoing processor interest. Market conditions remain finely balanced, with producers retaining leverage amid structurally tighter livestock numbers.

The update reinforces expectations that supply-side pressure will remain a key driver of red meat pricing into early 2026.

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Source: AHDB | Weekly Market Wrap | 8 January 2026

Beyond Meat Shares Bounce Despite Ongoing Market Pressures

Shares in Beyond Meat rose this week following signs of stabilisation after a prolonged period of sharp losses, according to analysis by The Motley Fool.

The rebound comes after heavy selling through 2025, with investors reacting to cost-cutting measures, expectations of improved cash management, and hopes that demand for plant-based products may be finding a floor. However, analysts caution that the move reflects short-term sentiment rather than a fundamental turnaround, with the company still facing margin pressure and volume challenges.

The volatility underlines the fragile state of the alternative protein sector, particularly when contrasted with tight supply and firm pricing across conventional meat markets.

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Source: The Motley Fool | 8 January 2026

Cattle Trade & Prices: Irish Throughput Tightens as Prices Ease

Ireland | Week ending 13 December

Throughput

Cattle supplies for processing in Ireland remain tight, driven by a combination of lower numbers of slaughter age cattle on farms and reduced cow throughput.

Total cattle throughput for the week ending 13 December stood at 32,590 head, down 16% on the 38,631 head processed in the same week of 2024. Despite this reduced availability, industry reports suggest the supply and demand balance has remained broadly stable.

Earlier in the year, relatively strong numbers of prime cattle moved through export-approved plants. However, tighter availability in recent months has reversed this trend, with the prime kill year-to-date now down 94,787 head (-7.5%) compared with last year.

Cow availability has also declined sharply. A combination of favourable milk prices and historically high cow culling levels in recent years has reduced the pool of cows available for slaughter in 2025. As a result, cow throughput is now running 21% lower year-to-date.

Overall, the total cattle kill in DAFM-approved factories for the first 50 weeks of the year is 12% behind 2024 levels.

Quotes

Processor quotes edged slightly lower last week, with most steers quoted at around €7.10/kg, while heifer quotes opened at approximately €7.20/kg.

R-grade cows: €6.70–€6.80/kg

Well-fleshed O-grade cows: €6.50–€6.70/kg

P-grade cows: €6.40–€6.50/kg

Prices

Irish deadweight prices have come under modest downward pressure in recent weeks following reductions in base quotes by most major processors.

For the week ending 13 December, the average R3 steer price fell by 5c to €7.27/kg, placing it 21c/kg below the UK equivalent price of €7.48/kg.

Pressure on the trade is linked to a softening supply-demand balance in export markets. Meanwhile, the average EU R3 young bull price increased to €7.26/kg, just 1c/kg below the equivalent Irish price, highlighting Ireland’s continued competitiveness within the European market.

Reported prices exclude VAT but include all applicable bonuses, including in-spec and breed-related payments.

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Source: Bord Bia – Cattle Trade & Prices | 7 January 2026

Irish Cattle Prices Under Pressure as Factories Adopt Tough Stance

Irish cattle prices have come under renewed pressure at the start of 2026. Meat processors are reported to be taking a “take it or leave it” approach to procurement, despite reduced slaughter numbers.

According to the Irish Examiner, factories have hardened their stance on base prices for steers and heifers in the first trading week of the year. This resulted in a softening of returns for finishers. This shift has surprised some producers given the continued tightness in cattle availability.

Official figures show that the kill in week one of 2026 was almost 8,000 head lower than the same period in 2025. This underlines the ongoing contraction in Irish cattle supplies. Despite this, processors appear confident in holding firm on prices. They cite weak demand signals and challenging market conditions at the opening of the year.

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Source article: Irish Examiner | 6 January 2026