UK Cattle and Sheep Markets Show Mixed Momentum

The latest weekly cattle and sheep market wrap highlights a mixed picture across UK livestock markets. Cattle prices are broadly steady, lamb values remain under pressure due to higher throughput and variable demand.

According to Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), prime cattle trade continues to be supported by tight supplies and firm processor demand. However, price movements remain cautious as abattoirs manage throughput and margin pressure.

In the sheep sector, lamb prices softened in several regions, reflecting increased numbers coming forward and more selective buyer behaviour. Despite this, AHDB notes that underlying fundamentals remain supportive, particularly given ongoing below-average lamb slaughter levels year-on-year.

Cull cow prices held relatively firm, underpinned by limited availability and sustained interest from processors. Meanwhile, store and breeding sheep demand varied depending on quality and regional conditions.

On the processing side, slaughter data continues to point to reduced sheep throughput compared with last year. However, cattle slaughter remains elevated in some regions as processors catch up following earlier disruptions.

AHDB said weather conditions, seasonal supply patterns, and processor capacity adjustments will continue to influence short-term price direction. Market volatility is expected to persist into the coming weeks.

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Source: AHDB Weekly Cattle and Sheep Market Wrap | 30 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

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

Irish Sheep Sector Faces Lower Output and Stagnant Prices

Ireland’s sheep sector has endured a difficult year, with production falling sharply in 2025 while prices failed to respond, according to reporting by the Irish Examiner.

Production fell by 18% in 2025, with nearly 440,000 fewer head processed. Despite tighter supplies, lamb prices remained flat, disappointing farmers who had hoped for a seasonal uplift.

The outcome adds to concerns about margins and long-term flock viability heading into 2026.

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Source article: Irish Examiner  | 30 December 2025

Sheep Numbers Down 20% Yet Factories Cut Prices, Says ICSA

22 December 2025 | Ireland

The ICSA has criticised meat factories for cutting lamb prices despite sheep numbers reportedly being down 20%. The group says reduced supply is not being reflected in farmgate returns and has called for clarity on Ireland’s stance on the Mercosur trade deal.

Farmers warn that continued price pressure risks accelerating the decline in sheep production.

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Source article: Farming.co.uk / ICSA

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.

See also: Irish Cattle Prices Slide as Export Demand Softens

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

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.

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Attribution

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

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

 

MLA

Weekly Cattle and Sheep Market Wrap: Prices Rise Amid Slaughter Decline

Cattle Market 
The GB overall all-prime cattle price saw a substantial increase of 10p/kg week-on-week, reaching 663p/kg. R4L prices for both steers and heifers climbed to 675p/kg, reflecting strong market demand. The estimated slaughter number for prime cattle was notably down, with a 5% decrease compared to the previous week.

In the week ending 15 March, GB deadweight cattle prices continued their upward trend. Overall steer and heifer prices grew by 10p/kg from the previous week, reaching 665p/kg and 663p/kg respectively. Young bulls also saw a similar increase, up 11p to 644p/kg. Deadweight cow prices rallied after muted growth in the previous week, showing an increase of 9p/kg to reach 495p/kg. This rise is the greatest for a month, suggesting it is following similar trends to prime cattle.

The estimated slaughter for GB prime cattle was down for the week ending 15 March, with an estimated kill of 33,800 head, representing a 5% drop compared to the previous week. Cow estimated slaughter followed a similar trend, down 700 head to an estimated 8,400 head.

Red meat retail performance indicates that although prices have begun to increase year-on-year, with the average price paid up 5.7%, volumes have remained relatively constant. This suggests good demand for beef despite the consumer starting to see some uplift in prices, which will be an important watchpoint over the coming months.

Sheep Market 
For the week ending 15 March, the GB deadweight old season lamb SQQ averaged 739p/kg, remaining flat compared to the previous week. This price is down 51p compared to the same week in 2024. The estimated kill was down by 10,500 head on the previous week, totaling 225,700 head, a significant drop of 4.5% on the week and 6% on the year.

Reports suggest that heavier stock appears to be dominating the market. This is supported by Defra carcase weights in February 2024, showing a slight month-on-month uplift, indicating that larger lambs that have had more time to grow are supporting supply at this time.

As the market continues to evolve, stakeholders will be closely monitoring these trends to make informed decisions. The rise in cattle prices and the steady lamb prices amidst declining slaughter numbers highlight the dynamic nature of the livestock market.

Original story: AHDB