Irish Cattle Prices Slide as Export Demand Softens

Week Ending 20 September 2025 – Ireland / Dublin

Irish beef processors paid €7.22/kg (deadweight, excluding VAT) for R3 steers in the week ending 20 September — a decline from recent highs.
That puts Irish prices slightly below the UK equivalent, which stood around €7.45/kg in the same period.

Factory quotes are under pressure. Starting bids this week range €7.10–7.20/kg for steers, while heifers are quoted at €7.20–7.30/kg.
Good quality cows in R grading are fetching €7.00–7.10/kg, and well-fleshed O grading cows are quoted at €6.80–6.90/kg.

Prices have eased due to softer beef demand across key export destinations, prompting factories to realign bids with broader European deadweight levels.

Meanwhile, cattle throughput in Irish DAFM-approved factories has dipped. Over the first 38 weeks of 2025, throughput is 8% lower compared to 2024.
The prime cattle kill is behind by 28,786 head (a 3% drop) year-on-year.
Cow slaughter is also down, falling 16% year-to-date, partly due to high prior culling and competition from dairy-related demand.

Live export trade slowed through summer but is picking up again as autumn progresses, with exporters showing renewed activity in livestock markets.

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

Irish Sheep Prices Edge Higher as Kill Numbers Stay Low

Weekly Market Update: Cattle and Sheep Trends – August 2025

The latest figures from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) offer a mixed picture for the UK cattle and sheep markets, with subtle shifts in pricing and throughput reflecting broader seasonal and environmental pressures.

Cattle Market Overview

In the week ending 23 August, the GB all prime average deadweight price remained largely stable, dipping marginally by 0.1p to 641.2p/kg. Steer and heifer prices saw minimal movement, each adjusting by just 0.5p. However, young bulls experienced a more notable decline, falling by 1.6p to 635p/kg.

Prime cattle throughput increased slightly to 32,500 head, marking a 3% rise compared to the same week last year. Despite this, year-to-date figures show a 4% decline in prime slaughter numbers, down by 49,000 head.

Cull cow slaughter surged by 11% week-on-week, reaching 8,500 head. Interestingly, this rise in volume was accompanied by a price increase, with the average deadweight price climbing by 3.4p to 511.8p/kg. Cows graded -O4L achieved a higher average of 544.7p/kg.

Store cattle prices showed varied movement. Native steers aged 12–18 months rose by £43 to £1,494/head, while continental steers in the same category fell by £9 to £1,734/head. Older store cattle generally saw price reductions, possibly reflecting producers’ focus on securing longer-term supply contracts.

Sheep Market Snapshot

Lamb prices faced downward pressure, with the GB NSL deadweight SQQ falling by 19p to 735p/kg. Estimated lamb slaughter rose by 11,000 head, totalling 197,000 for the week.

Liveweight markets reported challenges in lamb finish and quality, particularly in drought-affected regions across the North and West. These conditions are expected to persist, potentially influencing market dynamics in the coming weeks.

Liveweight finished lamb prices also declined, with the NSL SQQ dropping by 23p/kg to 317.1p/kg. This comes despite a reduction in store lamb throughput by approximately 1,600 head.

Source: AHDB

see also:

• Australian Cattle and Sheep Market Update – Late August 2025
• Irish Lamb Prices Hold Steady as UK Market Softens

Chicken Price Surge Drives Meat Inflation as Summer Heat and Holidays Boost Demand

UK meat and poultry prices edged up slightly in August, but chicken emerged as the main driver of inflation as hot weather and holiday barbecues fueled demand.

According to the AIMS Meat and Poultry Inflation Tracker, overall prices across the category rose just 0.25%, yet chicken jumped by 2.24%—the steepest increase among proteins.

“Looking at the chicken category as a whole, it appears that consumers have moved to convenience this month,” said Tony Goodger, Head of Communications at AIMS. “Diced breast was up 4.8%, no doubt BBQ demand driving this, while thigh fillets (+2.26%) and drumsticks (+2.67%) are also popular for barbecues and picnics.”

Rising feed, staffing, energy, and even security costs are further straining poultry production, adding to price pressures along the supply chain.

Red Meat Trends Diverge

Beef prices saw a modest 0.4% rise in August. However, roasting joints fell by 4.5%, likely due to supermarkets cutting prices as consumers shifted toward lighter meals in warmer weather. Lamb leg prices also dropped by 2.14%, while pork leg went against the trend, rising 4%.

“With beef and lamb roasting joints both costing in excess of £15 per kilo, pork leg’s value for money at under £6.50 per kilo could have encouraged switching for the weekend roast,” Goodger explained.

Inflation Still High Over the Year

Despite August’s relatively modest month-on-month movement, the annual picture remains stark. Over the past 12 months, meat and poultry prices have surged 15.6%, led by beef.

Beef now averages almost £20 per kilo across key cuts, with mince showing the sharpest increases; lean mince up 48.4% and standard mince up 37%. Beef steaks are also up 27% year-on-year.

Pork and chicken are increasingly seen as alternatives. Chicken has risen by 12.05% over the past year but remains attractive to households under cost-of-living pressures due to its versatility, quicker cooking time, and lower energy use.

Call for Government Action

Goodger warned that the drivers of inflation are numerous and complex.
“There are so many factors driving year-on-year meat and poultry inflation that the government must consider before the October budget if they wish to get overall food inflation under control,” he said.

Australian Cattle and Sheep Market Update – Late August 2025

The Australian cattle and sheep market update August 2025 shows a mix of trends as the month closed. National yardings slipped, yet slaughter volumes remained strong, particularly in Queensland and Western Australia.

Cattle Market

Cattle prices strengthened across all indicators. Values increased between 2¢ and 13¢/kg liveweight during the week. National yardings fell 3% to 56,148 head, largely due to expected rainfall in southern states. In fact, New South Wales dropped 16%, while Victoria recorded a sharper decline of 29%.

The Processor Cow Indicator jumped 13% to 368¢/kg lwt. Strong processor demand supported this rise despite lower yardings. Queensland continued to dominate supply, accounting for half of all national throughput. Its local indicator climbed to 357¢/kg lwt, close to a record high.

Meanwhile, the Restocker Steer Indicator increased by 11¢ to 487¢/kg lwt. Prices in Queensland surged by 16%, boosted by favourable seasonal conditions and strong restocker confidence.

Sheep Market

Sheep yardings also eased. Lamb numbers dropped by more than 36,000 head nationwide. As a result, the Heavy Lamb Indicator fell 27¢ to 1,129¢/kg cwt. However, Western Australia stood out, recording a significant 95¢ rise in prices.

Restocker lambs performed strongly in New South Wales. Prices there jumped 130¢ to 1,194¢/kg cwt. Furthermore, the National Restocker Lamb Indicator climbed 62¢ to 1,088¢/kg cwt, supported by new season lambs and firm demand from lot feeders.

Slaughter Volumes

Cattle slaughter rose 4% to 152,381 head nationwide. Queensland led the increase with an 8% rise. At the same time, sheepmeat throughput reached 512,950 head, up 7% and the highest since June. Lamb slaughter also rose 9%, driven by plant reopenings in South Australia and Western Australia.

Overall, the Australian cattle and sheep market update August 2025 highlights strong cattle demand and easing lamb prices, reflecting regional supply pressures.

Irish Lamb Prices Hold Steady as UK Market Softens – August 2025

The latest Irish lamb prices August 2025 show continued stability. After several steady weeks, base quotes remain firm at €7.70–7.80/kg plus QA bonus. Many processors are paying up to an upper carcase weight of 22kg, keeping trade confidence intact.

Irish Market

For the week ending 23 August 2025, the average Irish deadweight price held at €7.69/kg. This figure is unchanged from the previous week. However, prices remain significantly stronger than last year’s €7.18/kg. They are also well above the three-year average of €7.03/kg.

Throughput increased to 41,861 head last week. Even so, year-to-date slaughter totals 1.36 million head, which is 17% lower than 2024. Tighter supplies continue to define the season, limiting availability and supporting firm returns.

UK Market

In contrast, UK lamb prices eased in late August. Mainland Great Britain reported an average of €8.50/kg, a drop of 23c/kg. Northern Ireland also slipped slightly, with prices easing to €7.64/kg. This highlights the different supply and demand pressures across both markets.

Global Trends

Southern Hemisphere lamb prices remain competitive. In Australia, heavy lambs averaged €6.47/kg, narrowing the gap with Irish lamb to just €1.22/kg. By comparison, the spread was close to €4/kg in mid-May. Meanwhile, New Zealand prices eased slightly to €5.03/kg, although they remain near their highest level since late 2022.

Overall, the Irish lamb prices August 2025 report shows stability in Ireland, even as UK markets soften. Tight supplies across Europe and reduced lamb output in 2025 are likely to keep EU markets attractive for both Irish and imported lamb.

UK Cattle and Sheep Market Update – Week Ending 23 August 2025

The UK cattle and sheep market update August 2025 shows a mixed picture. Beef prices held steady, while lamb values fell sharply.

Cattle Market

According to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), the all-prime deadweight cattle average stayed firm at 641.2p/kg, slipping just 0.1p. Steer and heifer prices showed only minor changes. However, young bulls eased by 1.6p to 635p/kg.

Prime cattle slaughter reached 32,500 head. This figure was 3% higher year-on-year, although overall volumes for 2025 remain 4% below 2024 levels.

Cull cow slaughter rose sharply, climbing 11% week-on-week to 8,500 head. Despite the higher kill, average cow prices increased by 3.4p to 511.8p/kg. In addition, O4L cows achieved 544.7p/kg, underlining solid demand.

Sheep Market

In contrast, the sheep trade weakened. The new season lamb (NSL) deadweight SQQ dropped 19p to 735p/kg. This marks the steepest weekly fall since June. At the same time, estimated lamb slaughter increased by 11,000 head to 197,000.

Liveweight lamb prices also slipped. The NSL average fell 23p to 317.1p/kg. AHDB noted that poor forage in drought-affected regions of the North and West has slowed lamb finishing. Consequently, supply pressures could remain an issue in the weeks ahead.

See also: UK Cattle and Sheep Prices Stabilise Despite Challenges

The Irish beef market trends continue to reflect a tightening of cattle supplies across the country.  Prices are holding steady despite seasonal pressures. This stability is drawing attention from processors and exporters alike, as demand remains firm.

Cattle supplies in Ireland fell sharply compared with last year, even as weekly throughput showed a slight rise. Figures from the Agriculture and Food Development Authority (Bord Bia) indicate that 26,268 cattle were processed in the week ending 23 August, up 759 head on the week but 21% below the same period in 2024.

Prime cattle throughput for the year to date remains broadly in line with last year, but cow slaughter numbers are down 14% as higher milk prices and recent heavy culling have tightened supply. Overall cattle kill across Department of Agriculture–approved plants is 6% lower year-on-year.

Processors kept quotes stable this week, offering €7.50–€7.60/kg for steers and €7.60–€7.70/kg for heifers. Prices for young bulls under 16 months rose to €7.90–8.00/kg, while R-grade cows were quoted at €7.40–7.50/kg, with stronger prices available for higher-grading animals.

The average R3 steer price was unchanged at €7.58/kg, reaching levels last seen in May. Notably, Irish cattle now command a premium over the UK, where the average R3 steer price stood at €7.48/kg. In mainland Europe, young bull prices edged up slightly to €6.83/kg, leaving them around 75c/kg lower than Irish levels.

UK weekly cattle & sheep: all-prime ~640p/kg; lamb NSL SQQ 756p/kg as kill slips

8 August 2025 — UK | GB finished cattle prices edged up again, while deadweight lamb values defied seasonal pressure. AHDB reports the GB deadweight all-prime cattle average at ~640–641p/kg (↑1p w/w) and the GB NSL deadweight SQQ at 756p/kg (↑2p w/w). Clean sheep throughput fell as later lambs and poor grazing slowed the flow.

Another small weekly rise keeps prime cattle near record territory, with limited numbers of heavyweight, finished cattle supporting the trade. Lamb prices remain firm against the seasonal grain, aided by tighter supplies.

Market/Context

Cattle

• Price: All-prime around 640–641p/kg (↑1p). Steers/heifers up a shade; young bulls +2p.

• Throughput: 31,700 head prime slaughter (↑200 w/w; slightly above last year).

• Cows: Overall 509p/kg (↑2p) with 8,600 head forward (↑600). Leaner cows showing; heavy, well-finished cows keenly sought.

• Stores: Forward stores and named-sire natives at premiums; caution on longer-keep types amid forage worries.

Sheep

• Price: GB NSL deadweight SQQ 756p/kg (↑2p); England & Wales liveweight SQQ 347p/kg (↑1p; +39p y/y).

• Throughput: Clean sheep kill 155,100 head (−5,600 w/w; ~−9% y/y). Store demand firm for stronger lambs; appetite softer for long-term stores until grass improves.

What to watch

• Processor competition for prime cattle if grass tightens further.

• New-season lambs and pasture conditions into late August.

• Whether deadweight lamb prices can hold above mid-summer norms as numbers lift.

Attribution

Publisher: Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) — Weekly cattle and sheep market wrap.
Author: Tom Spencer.