Cattle Trade & Prices

Throughput: Reports from industry have indicated that the supplies of cattle being presented for processing is finely balanced with demand for beef from key export markets. Total cattle throughput for week ending 28 February amounted to 32,540 head, which takes throughput for the year to date to 271,735 head. This is a decline of 53,000 head (-16%) from the strong levels recorded in the early weeks of 2025. All categories of cattle have recorded a decline in throughput YTD relative to 2025, with the strongest decline noted in cow throughput which is operating 23% behind year earlier levels. Some of the decline in throughput has been offset by an increase in average carcase weights.

Quotes: Quotes from most processors have dropped from last week with starting quotes for steers now at €6.90/kg with heifers in the region of €7.00/kg. Quality R grading cows are being quoted at €6.60/kg-€6.70/kg this week while €6.40/kg-€6.50/kg is available for well fleshed O grade cows. P grading cows are being quoted between €6.10/kg-€6.20/kg.

Prices: During the week ending 28^th February, the average reported price for R3 steers decreased by 4c to €7.04/kg, taking it 29c behind the equivalent UK price of €7.33/kg. Meanwhile the European markets have continued to strengthen with the average reported price for an R3 grading young bull increasing by 5c/kg to €7.37/kg. European prices have been ahead of Irish prices for 11 consecutive weeks with the European R3 young bull price currently 33c/kg higher than the Irish R3 steer price.

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

Live Exports

Poor weather conditions have impacted ferry availability in the early months of 2026 and had a negative impact on the number of cattle being traded with mainland Europe. The confirmation of Bluetongue in Ireland has also had a negative influence on the live animal trade, most notably with Northern Ireland, Poland and some North African markets. However significant progress has been made in removing restrictions from existing Health Certificates in the last few weeks. Northern Ireland had been temporarily closed to animals for further production since Bluetongue was confirmed in Ireland however these restrictions have now been removed.

Despite the slow start the demand for Irish cattle in European markets remains firm on the back of declining domestic availability and the impact of disease restrictions to trade in some of our key markets. There have been 22,641 cattle traded during the first nine weeks of the year, a 54% reduction on the same period last year. More settled weather and improved access to ferries as a result has seen the number of animals being traded pick up strongly with 9,186 animals traded last week. The trade consisted primarily of calves with key markets including the Netherlands, Spain, Italy and Hungary.