Throughput: Weekly cattle throughput remains strong with 36,943 head processed last week (w/e 25/10/2026) in DAFM approved plants. This represents an increase of 7,009 head or 23% on the low levels recorded during the equivalent week in 2025. This increased processing activity is helping to meet the seasonal uplift in demand in the lead-up to Christmas. So far this year, supplies of cattle at Irish meat plants have totalled 1,325,831 head. This is a decline of -1,502 head (-0.01%) from the corresponding 43-week period in 2025. A greater availability of slaughter-fit cattle entering autumn 2026 has supported a recovery in prime cattle throughput, which now is just over 1,014,000 head.
The deadweight beef trade has stabilised in recent weeks, with reports indicating that market demand is now more closely aligned with available cattle supplies. The arrival of cooler weather across Europe is expected to support demand for beef in the coming weeks. At retail level, consumer purchasing behaviour continues to be influenced by ongoing cost-of-living pressures, while high beef prices are placing further pressure on beef volumes across a number of key export markets.
Quotes: Base quotes have lowered at the major meat plants with opening quotes for steers in the region of €6.60/kg to €6.70/kg. The heifer trade is slightly firmer with quotes in the range from €6.70/kg to €6.80/kg. There is a wider range in prices being quoted for cull cows as numbers increase with prices paid depending on weight, quality and individual factory demand. However, on average, good quality R grading cows are being quoted at €6.50/kg, while €6.30/kg to €6.10/kg to €6.20/kg is available for well-fleshed O grade cows. Better quality P grading cows are being quoted between €6.00/kg and €6.10/kg.
Prices: The combination of additional cattle availability for processing and a more balanced supply/demand situation has seen reported deadweight prices for prime cattle stabilising following six consecutive weeks of increases. The reported price for R3 steers at Irish meat plants during the week ending October 25th averaged €6.72/kg. Meanwhile the UK deadweight cattle price recorded a €0.03/kg increase for the same week to an equivalent price of €7.65/kg. The current price differential between the Irish R3 steer price and the equivalent UK price is €0.93/kg, the widest recorded since March 2025. The beef trade in the EU is showing some signs of improvement with average young bull prices increasing for seven consecutive weeks to €6.50/kg last week, placing it €0.22/kg lower than the Irish R3 steer price.
Note that reported prices exclude VAT but include all bonus payments (in-spec bonus, breed-based producer groups, sustainability initiatives etc).
Live Exports
The live cattle trade continues to provide an important alternative outlet for the Irish livestock sector, with 299,300 cattle exported year to date, 9% lower than the record levels achieved in 2025. Export volumes have generally ranged between 2,000 and 3,000 head per week since mid-year, although 4,602 cattle left the country in the week ending 17 October following a large international shipment.
The tighter availability of cattle across Europe, combined with the strong performance of Irish cattle in key export markets, continues to underpin demand. Long-standing relationships between Irish exporters and international customers have also played an important role in maintaining and securing market opportunities. Demand for weanlings and store cattle has remained relatively steady across key export markets, although some market access challenges may affect trade flows in the short term. Northern Ireland remains an important outlet for Irish cattle, with 1,555 cattle moving northwards last week, supported by a widening beef price differential between the two regions.
While export volumes remain below last year's record levels underlying demand for cattle remains firm. Although the longer-term outlook for live cattle trading remains challenging, the latest forecasts suggest cattle supplies across mainland Europe will remain constrained, with the long-term contraction of the European cattle herd expected to continue. This should help support demand for Irish cattle in the short to medium term.
Market Trends
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Data Sources:
Irish Cattle Prices - Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
EU & World cattle prices - EU commission, USDA, IEG FNP Agribusiness, INAC, ABC Consorcio.com
EU male calf prices - EU Commission and Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
EU Weanling prices - EU Commission & Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Live Cattle Exports - Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Cattle Throughput - Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine