Irish pig prices steady as factories hold €2.06–€2.08/kg; Grade E averages €2.00/kg

Week ending 2 August 2025 — Ireland | Pig prices stabilised this week after July’s correction. Grade E averaged €2.00/kg (ex-VAT), while most processors continued to quote €2.06–€2.08/kg.

Key points

• Market steadies after ~20c/kg cuts in early July.

• Finishers report little movement on factory quotes.

• Flat pricing gives some margin relief heading into September drafts.

Market/Context

Bord Bia notes recent downward pressure in the deadweight trade, but the latest week was unchanged. Export competitiveness remains in focus as EU reference prices and world benchmarks (US/Brazil) guide Irish returns.

What to watch

• Whether factories move off €2.06–€2.08/kg through mid-August.

• EU and world reference prices for signals on export demand.

• Weekly throughput as plants return from maintenance and holidays.

By the numbers (w/e 2 Aug)

• Grade E deadweight: €2.00/kg (ex-VAT)

• Factory quotes (reported): €2.06–€2.08/kg

• Recent trend: ~−20c/kg in early July; now stable

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Attribution: Bord Bia — Pig Trade & Prices (w/e 2 Aug 2025), plus Bord Bia Pigmeat Price Dashboard and EU/World Reference Prices.

Australia weekly wrap: lamb indicators hit records; cattle yardings rise on processor competition

8 August 2025 — Australia | Australia cattle and sheep wrap: lamb price indicators hit record levels last week, while cattle prices firmed as northern and southern processors competed for stock, according to MLA.

Cattle

Yardings rose 16% to 59,390 head. Most indicators gained 7–20¢/kg lwt; feeder heifer 398¢, restocker heifer 394¢. Processor & Dairy Cow eased to 360–344¢/kg lwt as supply improved.

Sheep

All main lamb indicators set new records, including a Dubbo saleyard high of $477/head. Yardings climbed: lamb +16% to 174,971, mutton +27% to 81,969. Trade and Heavy Lamb pushed above 1,200¢/kg cwt.

Slaughter (w/e 1 Aug): Cattle 150,496 head (−5% w/w, still 8% above the 2025 weekly average). Lamb 357,832 (−3% w/w; ~20% below the YTD average due to plant shutdowns). Sheep 137,340 (+6% w/w).

The Australia cattle and sheep wrap points to tight finished lamb supply and strong bidding for prime cattle. Plant maintenance continues to skew weekly sheepmeat kills, complicating procurement.

Outlook

Watch processor competition for prime cattle, stabilising sheepmeat slaughter as shutdowns wind down, and new-season lamb flow.

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Attribution: Meat & Livestock Australia — “Weekly cattle and sheep wrap,” 8 Aug 2025 (Erin Lukey).

Irish Sheep Trade Prices Hold Steady – Week Ending 2 August 2025

The Irish sheep trade prices August 2025 report highlights steady market conditions with signs of pressure on lamb values. Base quotes eased slightly last week after several weeks of stability.

Irish Lamb Market

Processors are now quoting €7.80–7.85/kg plus QA bonus. Most are paying up to an upper carcase weight of 21kg. According to Bord Bia, higher lamb availability in the UK and key export regions is reducing demand for Irish product.

Deadweight Prices

For the week ending 2 August 2025, the Irish deadweight lamb price averaged €7.80/kg. For context, prices in Great Britain averaged €8.73/kg, while Northern Ireland recorded €7.71/kg. Meanwhile, Southern Hemisphere markets remain competitive. Australian heavy lambs stood at €6.65/kg, and New Zealand lamb eased to €5.03/kg, close to its strongest level since late 2022.

Throughput

Total sheep kill in DAFM-approved plants reached 38,955 head last week. This marked an increase on the week but remained below 2024 levels, when 49,465 head were processed. Year-to-date throughput now totals 1.48 million head, which is 16% behind 2024. Lower numbers have been reported across all categories.

Industry Outlook

Processors continue to seek R-grade lambs at fat scores 2–3, with bonuses paid for Quality Assured (QA) stock. In addition, seasonal demand will play a key role in shaping price trends as the market responds to shifting supply and consumer buying behaviour.

In summary, the Irish sheep trade prices August 2025 update confirms stable but pressured lamb prices, with higher UK and EU supply likely to influence demand in the weeks ahead.

See also: Irish cattle trade: tighter supplies lift quotes; R3 steer hits €7.56/kg

Irish Cattle Trade Update – Week Ending 2 August 2025

The Irish cattle trade August 2025 continues to show tight supplies, with factories competing for livestock. As a result, base quotes have moved higher across all categories.

Cattle Market Performance

Total throughput in DAFM-approved plants reached 25,471 head for the week ending 2 August 2025. This was 915 head more than the previous week. However, volumes were still 28% lower than the same week in 2024, when 32,451 cattle were processed.

Year-to-date slaughter is running 4% behind 2024, with cow throughput falling by 15%. The decline reflects both herd contraction and earlier culling.

This week, factory quotes strengthened. Steers made €7.50–7.60/kg, while heifers achieved €7.60–7.70/kg. Young bulls under 16 months graded U returned €7.80–7.90/kg. In addition, cow prices ranged from €7.10–7.20/kg for P and O grades, rising to €7.30–7.40/kg for R grades, depending on weight and quality.

Deadweight Prices

The R3 steer average increased by 8c/kg to reach €7.56/kg, returning to May’s levels. In comparison, the latest UK R3 steer price was €7.44/kg. This places UK cattle 12c/kg below Irish averages, a sharp reversal from February when Britain led by €1.17/kg. Meanwhile, the EU R3 young bull average stood at €6.76/kg, around 80c/kg below Irish steers. (Prices exclude VAT and include bonuses.)

Live Exports

Exports remain firm despite supply challenges. Up to 26 July, Ireland exported 298,514 head, a rise of 12% year-on-year. Notably, calf exports topped 220,000 head, up 14% on 2024. Moreover, strong demand for weanlings and store cattle came from Northern Ireland, Spain, Eastern Europe, and North Africa.

Source: Bord Bia — Cattle Trade & Prices (week ending 2 August). Bord Bia

UK Offal Market Worth £244m in 2025: Key Insights

The UK offal market 2025 is delivering value both at home and abroad according to recent AHDB data. Exports reached £244 million last year, while domestic sales continued to grow, albeit modestly.

Domestic Trends

From 1 June 2025, consumers spent around £30 million on primary red meat offal. That figure rose 1.8% in value, even though volumes fell 7.9% to just over 6,000 tonnes. Lamb offal remains the most popular category, accounting for over 50% of sales. Pork followed with 30%, and beef made up 19%. Notably, 11% of UK households are buying offal. While older consumers still lead purchases, there’s growing interest from families with children. This shift highlights declining volume among older shoppers, with new growth opportunities waiting in younger demographics.

Export Highlights

Exports are the backbone of the UK offal trade. Pork offal generated £162 million, with over half going to China. The EU and the Philippines also featured as key markets. Beef offal exports grew to £70 million, up from £61 million in 2023. Major destinations include France, Canada, the US, Japan, and Ghana. Meanwhile, sheep offal contributed £12 million, with 77% of it going to EU countries. Much of this trade is in fresh—not frozen—products, particularly within the EU. As such, maintaining cold-chain capacity is critical.

New Opportunities Ahead

The UK offal market 2025 offers room for innovation, especially domestically. Retail-ready formats and health messaging could broaden appeal. On the export side, there’s room to diversify beyond core markets like China and the EU. Emerging economies also show strong demand for affordable protein markets. Meanwhile, optimizing supply chains continues to offer both commercial and environmental advantages.

The full AHDB report, including export data and consumer insights, is available on the AHDB website.

GB Pig Prices Edge Up in Q2 2025 Amid Strong Demand and Export Growth

Great Britain’s pig prices showed a steady upward trend through the second quarter of 2025. The GB pig prices Q2 2025 average—the SPP for EU-spec pigs—climbed steadily from early April to early July, reaching 207.55 p/kg, a 2.79 p/kg rise.

Market Drivers

Domestic demand remains resilient, with Kantar reporting a 0.8% YoY increase in retail pig meat volumes for the 12 weeks to mid-June. This growth is largely thanks to added-value products and a seasonal boost from Easter and warm weather. Meanwhile, shoppers continue shifting from beef to pork, largely due to price differences.

EU prices rebounded in the second quarter, narrowing the gap with UK prices. By early July, the EU Grade E reference price reached 180.62 p/kg, still 27p below the GB SPP. Germany’s reinstated FMD-free status and increased seasonal demand helped fuel this rebound.

Trade Performance

UK pig meat exports rose substantially in May—10% month-on-month and 20% year-on-year, hitting nearly 27,000 tonnes. China emerged as the key destination driving growth.

Imports also increased, rising 9% from April and 3% YoY to 66,600 tonnes, boosted by stronger supply from Germany. Notably, the share of British pork on retail shelves remained stable, reinforcing domestic market strength.

Production Trends

Pig meat production remained positive. Q2 totalled 239,000 tonnes, up 1.6% YoY, supported by a similar rise in clean pig kill. Average carcase weights remained stable at around 90.3 kg. Warm weather slightly reduced weights in recent weeks.

Original reporting by AHDB 

Global Food Prices Edge Up in June 2025 as Meat, Dairy and Oils Drive Gains

The global food prices June 2025 update shows a modest rise. The FAO Food Price Index averaged 128.0 points, up 0.5% from May. Declines in cereals and sugar were outweighed by gains in meat, dairy, and vegetable oils.

Key Commodity Trends

Cereals: The index fell by 1.5%, reflecting strong harvests in Argentina and Brazil. As a result, maize, sorghum, and barley prices dropped. However, wheat prices climbed due to poor weather in the EU, Russia, and the United States. Rice also eased slightly, particularly Indica varieties.

Vegetable oils: Global prices increased by 2.3%. Palm oil rose nearly 5%, supported by strong import demand. Furthermore, soy oil strengthened on expectations of higher biofuel use in Brazil and the USA. Rapeseed oil values climbed due to tight supply forecasts, while sunflower oil eased as Black Sea production improved.

Meat: The Meat Price Index gained 2.1%, hitting a record high. Bovine, pig, and ovine meat prices all moved upward. In contrast, poultry values continued to fall, reflecting ongoing market adjustments.

Dairy: The Dairy Price Index rose 0.5%. Butter reached a new record high because of limited supplies in Oceania and the EU. Cheese prices increased for the third month running. On the other hand, milk powder slipped slightly due to weak global demand.

Sugar: The Sugar Price Index declined by 5.2%, marking its fourth consecutive monthly fall. Improved harvests in Brazil, India, and Thailand drove the drop.

Market Outlook

Overall, the global food prices June 2025 report signals cautious optimism. Prices remain 5.8% higher than June 2024, yet well below the March 2022 peak. Rising meat and dairy values could support trade, but grain and sugar softness may limit wider growth.

Original reporting by Mercopress.

Australian Livestock Markets Mid-2025 Update: Lamb Prices Surge

The Australian livestock markets mid-2025 update shows mixed performance. While lamb prices hit record highs, cattle indicators softened amid shifting supply dynamics.

Cattle Market Trends

Cattle yardings rose by 5,240 head, bringing the current total to 61,316. This increase was largely driven by more processor cows, restocker heifers, and steers.
Meanwhile, the Heavy Steer Indicator slipped 18¢ to 364¢/kg liveweight (lwt). In Victoria, the drop was steeper, with a decline of 19¢, although Leongatha still reported a peak of 458¢/kg lwt.
In contrast, the Processor Cow Indicator rose 9¢ to 310¢/kg lwt, supported by strong demand for leaner cows, especially in Victoria where it jumped 23¢.

Winter conditions in parts of Australia are putting pressure on cattle quality. As a result, certain export and trade categories have seen softening prices.

Sheep Market Highlights

Sheep yardings expanded by 3,274 head to 255,334, with lamb yardings up 3,376 head.
The Trade Lamb Indicator jumped 77¢ to 1,148¢/kg carcase weight (cwt). Similarly, the Heavy Lamb Indicator gained 38¢ to 1,135¢/kg cwt.
Record-breaking prices were achieved in key markets: Wagga reported $441/head, and Bendigo hit $435/head, both with average carcase weights around 40–42kg. Notably, well-finished lambs outperformed, with 26–30kg lambs fetching $320–375/head.

Slaughter Volumes

National cattle slaughter declined by 5,981 head, totalling 153,008 head, although this remains 9% higher than the same week in 2024. Queensland contributed most to the decline.
Sheep and lamb slaughter also fell, dropping 14,788 head to 498,773, marking a 15% year-on-year decrease. South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria saw the largest reductions.

Original reporting by Meat & Livestock Australia. Full report available here 

Irish Sheep Prices Hold Firm Amid Seasonal Supply Tightening – July 2025

The Irish sheep prices July 2025 update shows stability across key categories. Strong seasonal demand and tighter supplies are supporting the trade, according to the latest figures from Bord Bia.

Lamb Trade Overview

Factory quotes for spring lambs remained firm. Base prices stood between €7.20 and €7.40/kg, with higher returns available for in-spec lambs and members of producer groups. In addition, heavier lambs suited to Eid al-Adha attracted strong interest, helping to keep values steady.

Meanwhile, live trade has stayed active. Both factory agents and butchers competed at marts, further boosting market confidence.

Cull Ewe Market

Cull ewe prices also held steady. Well-fleshed ewes sold for €2.30–2.60/kg, depending on quality and location. Domestic buyers supported demand, while export interest added further stability.

Market Outlook

Looking ahead, throughput is expected to ease in the coming weeks. Seasonal festival demand should provide a short-term lift, which may keep lamb prices supported through July. However, weather patterns and grass growth will remain critical factors. Limited pasture growth could restrict supplies and maintain firm pricing.

Overall, the Irish sheep prices July 2025 report highlights a market holding steady under pressure. With seasonal demand and supply constraints shaping conditions, Irish lamb and sheep trade is expected to stay resilient in the near term.

Original data and insights sourced from Bord Bia.

Irish Cattle Throughput Rises Slightly as Prices Hold Firm – July 2025 Update

The Irish cattle market has shown modest growth in throughput while maintaining firm prices across most categories. According to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), a total of 869,587 head were processed in DAFM-approved plants by the week ending 28 June 2025. This represents a year-on-year increase of 5,758 head.

Throughput Trends in the Irish Cattle Market

• Prime cattle numbers reached 656,185 head, up 1.8 per cent compared to the same period in 2024.
• Young bull slaughter stabilised after an earlier decline, now aligning with 2024 levels.
• Steer and cow throughput declined, with 197,223 cows processed—down 23,000 head year-on-year.
• The shortfall was offset by increased heifer throughput, helping to balance overall supply.

Irish Beef Prices Hold Steady

• Steers: €7.10–€7.20/kg
• Heifers: €7.20–€7.30/kg
• Young bulls (U grade, under 16 months): €7.10–€7.30/kg, with flat prices up to €7.40/kg for R grades
• O grade cows: €6.90/kg
• R grade cows: €7.00/kg
• R3 steers: Average €7.23/kg
• R3 heifers: Average €7.28/kg (down 3c/kg from the previous week)

Prices exclude VAT but include bonuses such as in-spec and breed-based premiums.

EU and UK Market Comparison

• EU R3 young bulls averaged €6.23/kg, up €1.15/kg from 2024.
• UK R3 steer prices remained strong at €7.15/kg, reflecting tight supply and firm demand.

For more insights, see our recent updates on the UK cattle and sheep market and Australian livestock trends.

Bord Bia