Cattle Trade & Prices

Throughput: Cattle supplies for processing have remained tight with a combination of lower numbers of slaughter age cattle currently on Irish farms and lower cow throughput contributing to this trend. Total cattle throughput for week ending 27 September was 30,053 head, significantly lower than the 39,845 cattle processed in the corresponding week in 2024 (-25%).

The first six months of the year saw relatively strong supplies of prime cattle passing through export approved plants however the contraction in prime cattle availability for processing in more recent months has meant that the prime kill YTD is back by 35,693 head 3.7% from last year’s earlier levels. A relatively strong milk price and the historically high levels of cow culling in the last few years has impacted cow numbers availability for slaughter in 2025 with throughput back by 16% YTD. The overall cattle kill in DAFM approved factories for the first 39 weeks of the year is now running eight per cent behind 2024 levels.

Quotes: Quotes from the major processors have continued to come under some pressure across the country although the rate of decline appears to be slowing down. Starting quotes this week are in the region of €7.10-€7.20/kg for steers with starting quotes for heifers of €7.20/kg to €7.30/kg. Good quality R grading cows being quoted at €6.90-7.10/kg this week while €6.80-6.90/kg is available for well fleshed O grading animals. There is a wide range in quoted prices for P grading animals, with the prices available varying significantly based on fat score, weight and quality.

Prices:  There has been some downward movement in Irish deadweight prices in the last few weeks which is reflective of the declines recorded in base quotes from the major factories. These declines are in response to some softening in demand for beef across key export markets and a realignment of the trade relative to deadweight prices in the UK and Europe. With high levels of food inflation and cost of living pressures there has been some trading down within the beef category across all markets with steadier demand for more versatile everyday beef cuts.

For the week ending 27 September, the average price paid by Irish beef processors for R3 steers came back to €7.14/kg which takes Irish prices below the equivalent UK price of €7.41/kg. While deadweight prices in both Ireland and the UK have come back in the last few weeks the reported prices in mainland Europe have started to trend upwards. The average reported price for an R3 grading young bull in Europe last week increased to €7.06/kg. This is an increase of 11c/kg in the last two weeks and narrows the differential with the equivalent Irish price to 8c/kg.

Note that reported prices exclude VAT but include all bonus payments such as in-spec bonus, breed-based producer groups etc

Live Exports 

Tighter cattle supplies across Europe contributed to the strong demand for Irish livestock during the first half of 2025 however the level of trade decreased over the summer months with strong prices in Ireland combined and high temperatures across continental Europe contributing to this trend. The level of trade has started to pick up now as we move into the Autumn with reports of exporters being more active around the livestock rings. Trade with Northern Ireland has also operating at lower levels in recent months with reports of improved cattle supplies north of the border and a changing dynamic in deadweight prices also playing a role.