GB Cattle Prices Fall for First Time in 12 Weeks

After a sustained run of increases, Great Britain cattle prices have slipped for the first time in 12 weeks, according to the latest livestock market data. As a result, GB cattle prices fall in line with the broader softening in demand and seasonal market pressures as the beef supply chain adjusts into the year-end period.

Processors and auctioneers report that although trade remains generally steady, buyer appetite has eased, placing downward pressure on prime cattle values. The change comes after several weeks of strong pricing momentum earlier in the autumn, illustrating how quickly market sentiment can shift in the livestock sector.

Industry analysts say that while this single week’s decline does not signal a major trend reversal, producers and buyers should monitor cash cattle flows and processor purchasing behaviours closely. A combination of subdued domestic demand and cautious forward contracting is contributing to the recent moderation in price.

For beef supply chain stakeholders, the latest price movement highlights the importance of flexible marketing strategies and regular engagement with auction reports and processor quotes to navigate short-term volatility.

Source: AHDB | 11/12/2025

Prime Beef Production in Ireland Forecast to Fall in 2026

Irish prime beef production is forecast to decline by 4% in 2026, according to new outlook figures from Teagasc. This decline occurs as tighter cattle supplies begin to feed through the system. Economists point to a notable reduction in the number of animals aged between 12 and 24 months. Inventories are now well below levels recorded a year earlier.

Despite lower expected output, cattle prices are forecast to strengthen. Teagasc predicts the average finished cattle price will rise by around 5% in 2026. This will take value of an average R3 steer to approximately €795 per 100kg. The outlook reflects continued supply pressure across Ireland’s beef sector alongside steady demand.

In contrast, weanling cattle prices are expected to ease back by around 5% next year. This is due to tighter margins at farm level influencing buying behaviour. Teagasc also forecasts that net margins for single suckling enterprises will decline in 2026 compared with 2025. However, returns are still expected to remain well above historic averages.

Source article:
Agriland – “4% decrease in prime beef production forecast for 2026 – Teagasc” \ 7 December 2025

Irish Cattle Prices Strengthen as Supplies Remain Tight

Irish cattle prices have risen sharply as supplies remain constrained, with lower slaughter-age numbers and reduced cow throughput tightening factory availability. The upward price trend has pushed Irish beef values slightly ahead of equivalent UK levels for the first time in several months.

Throughput

Cattle throughput for the week ending 1 November 2025 totalled 29,776 head, down 12 % from 33,844 in the same week last year.

The first half of 2025 saw strong prime cattle numbers, but recent months have brought a notable contraction in availability.

Prime kill year-to-date: down 6.7 % (−73,726 head)
Cow kill year-to-date: down 19 %
Total cattle kill (44 weeks): down 11 % year-on-year

Analysts attribute the tighter supply to a relatively favourable milk price, encouraging dairy retention, and to high culling rates in recent years, which have reduced the pool of slaughter-ready cows.

Quotes

Factory quotes have strengthened nationwide.

Steers: €7.55–€7.65/kg
Heifers: €7.60–€7.75/kg
R-grade cows: €7.60/kg
Well-fleshed O/P-grade cows: €7.20/kg

These increases reflect continued competition among processors for limited supplies.

Prices

Irish deadweight cattle prices continued their recent upward momentum following earlier seasonal declines.
For the week ending 1 November, the average R3 steer price rose 8c to €7.50/kg, edging 2c above the equivalent UK price (€7.48/kg).

Both Irish and UK markets have seen firming in recent weeks, with mainland Europe also trending higher.

EU R3 young bull price: €7.18/kg — a record high, but still 30c/kg below the Irish equivalent.

All reported prices exclude VAT but include in-spec and breed bonuses where applicable.

Source: Bord Bia – Cattle Trade & Prices Report (Week Ending 1 November 2025)

Australian Cattle and Sheep Slaughter Rebounds

Australian Cattle and Sheep Slaughter Rebounds as Feeder Prices Ease

24 October 2025 | Australian cattle and sheep market wrap, providing the latest updates and insights from the industry.

Australia’s livestock markets showed a mixed performance mid-October, with feeder cattle prices easing on weaker demand, while restocker and light-lamb indicators lifted on renewed buyer competition. National slaughter rebounded sharply following the previous week’s public holiday disruptions.

Cattle Market

National cattle yardings fell 24 % to 60,760 head, following the prior week’s exceptionally high volumes — the largest since May. The decline was most pronounced in Victoria (-38 %), followed by New South Wales (-22 %) and Queensland (-16 %).

The Feeder Steer Indicator slipped 5¢ to 453¢/kg liveweight, reflecting a more measured approach from buyers despite reduced supply. Price corrections were concentrated among light and medium-weight steers.

By contrast, the Restocker Yearling Steer Indicator lifted 2¢ to 461¢/kg liveweight, supported by solid demand from southern restockers. Competition from Victorian and NSW buyers pushed regional prices higher, with NSW’s indicator rising 6¢ week-on-week to 468¢/kg liveweight.

Sheep Market

National sheep yardings declined 7 % to 107,826 head, while lamb yardings rose 9 % to 197,055 head as the seasonal flush continued.

The Light Lamb Indicator increased 12¢ to 985¢/kg carcass weight, though it remains below late-September highs when tight supply drove prices above 1,100¢/kg.

The Restocker Lamb Indicator also strengthened, up 18¢ to 1,042¢/kg carcass weight, driven by active restocker demand — particularly in NSW, where the indicator jumped 42¢ week-on-week. In Forbes, light lambs sold to restockers at $196–$245 per head.

Slaughter

Cattle and sheep slaughter activity rebounded after the prior week’s holiday-shortened schedules.

Cattle

National cattle slaughter rose 14 % to 152,947 head, led by:

Queensland: up 14 % to 80,940 head
NSW: up 23 % to 35,210 head
Victoria: up 1 % to 24,999 head
SA: up 24 % to 3,814 head
Tasmania: up 17 % to 4,426 head
WA: down 3 % to 3,558 head

Sheep and Lamb

Combined national throughput lifted 7 % to 539,201 head, narrowing the gap to just 9 % below the 2025 weekly average of 590,247 head.

Lamb slaughter: up 9 % to 373,289 head, with gains in all states.
- NSW: +19 % to 69,314
- Victoria: +7 % to 202,504 (highest since June)
- WA: +7 % to 50,351
Sheep slaughter: up 5 % to 165,912 head, led by:
- NSW: +24 % to 61,075
- WA: +3 % to 34,853
- Victoria: down 11 % to 54,553

The surge in slaughter follows improved plant operating schedules and strong demand for new-season lambs across eastern states.

GB Cattle Prices Edge Higher as Sheep Trade Eases

Source: Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), Emiliano Diaz, Market Information Analyst, 24 October 2025.

GB Cattle Prices Edge Higher as Sheep Trade Eases

24 October 2025 | United Kingdom The latest update on the GB cattle and sheep market wrap provides insights into current trends and pricing.

Beef prices in Great Britain rose slightly in mid-October as tight supplies continued to underpin the market, while sheep values eased under the weight of higher throughput. Retail data shows consumers paying more but purchasing less across both red-meat categories.

Cattle Market

For the week ending 18 October, the GB all-prime average deadweight cattle price increased by 2p/kg to reach 646p/kg, up 135p/kg on the same week last year.

Steers: 648p/kg (+2p)
Heifers: 646p/kg (+3p)
Young bulls: 633p/kg (-1p)
Cows: 516p/kg (+1p)

Prime cattle slaughter was estimated at 32,600 head, unchanged week-on-week, leaving year-to-date throughput down 5 % at 1.26 million head.
Cull-cow slaughter also remains 5 % lower year-to-date, at 367,000 head, contributing to the firm price trend.

Retail data from Numerator UK shows beef spend up 9.5 % year-on-year, driven by an 18 % rise in average price despite a 7.2 % fall in volume. Analysts warn that sustained price inflation could test demand as the festive season approaches.

Sheep Market

Finished-lamb prices slipped again, with the deadweight NSL SQQ falling 4p/kg to 662p/kg in the week ending 18 October.

Clean-sheep slaughter reached 241,600 head, up 2 % from the previous week and 3 % higher year-to-date. Numbers have stayed above 2024 levels for the past month, reflecting strong marketings and adequate supply.

Market reports described a mixed picture across regions, with variable quality and demand. Finished animals continue to meet the strongest bids, while lighter or plainer types face softer interest.

On the retail side, lamb sales volumes fell 16.7 % year-on-year, and spend declined 13 %, although average prices rose 4.4 %. Lamb steaks were one of the few cuts showing volume growth during the period.

Source: Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), 24 October 2025.

Ireland Cattle Trade Prices Update

Ireland Cattle Trade Prices Update

The Irish cattle market is showing signs of stabilisation at elevated levels, as deadweight prices remain strong amid tighter supply and robust demand across the beef and live-export sectors.

Key Price Highlights

Starting quotes this week for steers are in the €7.30–7.40/kg range, with heifers quoted at €7.40–7.50/kg. (bordbia.ie)
Good quality R-grading cows are being quoted at about €7.20–7.30/kg, while O-grading animals (well-fleshed) attract about €7.00–7.10/kg.
For the week ending 11 October, the average paid by Irish processors for R3 steers was €7.23/kg, up 4 cents from the previous week and around 24 cents below the equivalent UK price.
Live cattle exports year-to-date have reached 326,120 head — marginally ahead of last year, although summer trade was weaker.

Market / Context

Prime cattle throughput in Ireland is down 5.6 % year-to-date compared with last year.
The elevated price level reflects tight supply chains across Europe and firm export demand for Irish livestock.
The price gap of roughly 24 c/kg between Irish and UK deadweight prices highlights ongoing competitiveness for exporters and importers alike.

What to Watch

Carcass weights have been trending lighter, which could help sustain higher per-kilogram prices in the short term.
Export performance will remain key — particularly any shifts in live cattle destinations and regulatory changes affecting transport.
Continued monitoring of UK supply levels is essential, as further tightening could strengthen Irish returns, while any easing might dampen prices.
Rising input costs for feed, labour, and energy could still affect processor margins and farm-gate returns in Q4.

Source: Bord Bia – Irish Food Board (Cattle Trade & Prices, 2025)
(Rewritten and summarised for Meatex.co.uk)

Irish Lamb Prices Hold Firm as Global Markets Tighten

20 October 2025 | Ireland

Irish lamb prices have steadied following recent volatility, with strong export demand helping to support values despite increased supply in key overseas markets. Tight flocks across Europe and the Southern Hemisphere are keeping trade firm heading into late October.

Sheep Trade & Prices

Base quotes for lambs this week remain between €7.60–€7.70/kg (plus QA bonus), with most major processors paying up to a 22 kg carcass limit.

Reports suggest that greater lamb availability in the UK and other export destinations has softened demand for Irish product in some channels.

The reported deadweight price for the week ending 11 October rose slightly to €7.50/kg, up from €7.23/kg in the same week last year. In Great Britain, the deadweight lamb trade has come under pressure from increased supply, slipping by the equivalent of 12 c/kg to €7.66/kg, while Northern Ireland prices eased marginally to €7.18/kg.

Global Comparison

In the Southern Hemisphere, trade has shown moderate recovery:

Australia: heavy lamb prices increased 4 c/kg to the equivalent of €6.36/kg.
New Zealand: prices rose to €5.30/kg.

Tighter supplies of slaughter-ready sheep and continued firm export demand in both regions have helped narrow the traditional price gap between Europe and Southern Hemisphere producers.

Throughput

Total sheep throughput at DAFM-approved plants for the week ending 11 October fell to 40,501 head, remaining below last year’s levels.

Year-to-date throughput: down 20 % versus 2024, with declines seen across all sheep categories.
Tight lamb supplies are not unique to Ireland — UK and EU data also indicate contracting flocks and lower output from the 2025 lambing season.

This scarcity may provide short-term opportunity for Irish lamb exporters, although competitive pricing from non-EU origins continues to exert pressure on margins.

Source: Bord Bia – Irish Food Board (Sheep Trade & Prices, October 2025)
(Rewritten and summarised for Meatex.co.uk)

Ireland Cattle Trade Prices Update

Irish Pig Prices Fall 10% Year-on-Year as EU Market Weakens

20 October 2025 | Ireland

Irish pig prices slipped in early October, reflecting broader downward pressure across European markets. Despite strong slaughter volumes, average returns to producers remain below 2024 levels as export competition and feed costs continue to weigh on margins.

Pig Trade & Prices

For the week ending 11 October 2025, the average deadweight price for Grade E pigs in Ireland rose slightly to €1.89/kg (188.88 c/kg, excluding VAT).
Producers reported factory prices ranging from €1.90 to €1.94/kg, marking a decrease compared with previous weeks.

Prices remain 10 % lower than the same period last year, when pigs averaged €2.09/kg. Across the EU, the average for Grade E carcasses declined to €1.83/kg, about 18 c/kg below 2024.

European pig markets continue to face downward momentum, with week-on-week reductions of 9 c/kg in Germany, 5 c/kg in Spain, and 1 c/kg in France, according to Bord Bia data.

Throughput

Throughput in Irish pig plants has remained strong through Q3 2025, though demand continues to outpace available supply.

Year-to-date throughput: 2.6 million head — up 87,000 year-on-year.
Weekly slaughter (week ending 11 Oct): 64,672 head, including 1,797 sows and 22 boars.
Fattener pig throughput: up 3.5 % compared with the same period in 2024.

The balance of firm processing activity against falling prices suggests ongoing volatility in the EU pork market, with export performance and feed input costs set to determine short-term profitability.

Source: Bord Bia – Irish Food Board (Pig Trade & Prices, October 2025)
(Rewritten and summarised for Meatex.co.uk)

Ireland Cattle Trade Prices Update

Irish Pig Prices Hold Steady Amid EU Market Pressure

Week Ending 5 October 2025 – Ireland: An analysis of the Irish pig prices in October 2025 reveals key trends for the industry.

Irish pig prices remained largely unchanged in early October as processors balanced firm domestic demand with weaker returns from continental markets.
The average Irish pig price held at €2.19/kg (deadweight), steady for a third consecutive week. Factory quotes continue to range between €2.16 and €2.22/kg, depending on grade and region.

According to industry sources, supplies remain moderate, with most producers achieving steady weights and throughput. Domestic consumption is described as stable, though export competitiveness has tightened due to recent easing across the EU pigmeat sector.

In comparison, German pig prices slipped to the equivalent of €2.05/kg, while Dutch and Danish prices averaged €2.00–€2.03/kg. Analysts suggest European processors are adjusting to softer Chinese import demand and higher feed costs earlier in the year.

Irish producers continue to face tight margins, with energy, transport, and feed costs still above long-term averages. Market observers expect prices to hold near current levels until the winter retail season begins to influence buying patterns.

Source: Bord Bia – Irish Food Board (Pig Trade & Prices, October 2025)
(Rewritten and summarised for Meatex.co.uk)

Irish Cattle Prices Slide as Export Demand Softens

Irish Sheep Prices Edge Higher as Kill Numbers Stay Low

Week Ending 5 October 2025 – Ireland

Irish sheep prices firmed slightly in early October as tight supplies continued to support the trade.
Average deadweight lamb prices rose to around €7.82/kg, up from €7.69/kg in late August. Most factories are quoting €7.75–7.85/kg, with higher returns for Quality Assured lots.

Processors report limited throughput, with weekly kill numbers remaining well below last year’s levels. Year-to-date slaughter is still down by almost 20%, reflecting smaller flock sizes and cautious on-farm selling.

Export demand remains steady, though buyers note increased competition from UK and French suppliers as continental production recovers.
Industry analysts expect the tight supply to keep Irish prices near current levels through October, barring any sharp fall in consumer demand.

Internationally, UK lamb prices averaged €7.70/kg, while Australian and New Zealand lamb traded lower at €6.50/kg and €5.10/kg respectively — keeping Ireland among the highest-priced markets worldwide.

Source: Bord Bia – Irish Food Board (Sheep Trade & Prices, October 2025)
(Rewritten and summarised for Meatex.co.uk)