Cattle Trade & Prices

Throughput: Throughput for week ending 14^th of February amounted to 31,262 head. Lower levels of cattle processing in the latter half of 2025 have contributed to a stabilisation in overall cattle numbers currently on Irish farms. Despite the stabilisation in the herd the number of cattle being presented for slaughter has been relatively subdued with 207,506 animals processed to date. This accounts for a reduction in the total cattle kill of 30,901 (15.8%) head from the corresponding period in 2025, with the throughput of all categories of cattle back year on year. Despite the lower throughput in the major processing plants feedback has indicated a relatively stable supply and demand dynamic.

Quotes: Quotes from most processors remain unchanged from last week, with most in the region of €7.00/kg-7.10/kg for steers and starting quotes for heifers at €7.10/kg-€7.20/kg. Quality R grading cows are being quoted at €6.80/kg-€6.90/kg this week while €6.60/kg-€6.70/kg is available for well fleshed O grade cows. P grading cows are being quoted between €6.30/kg-€6.40/kg.

Prices: During the week ending 14^th of February, the average price paid by Irish beef processors for R3 steers increased by 1c to €7.10/kg, taking it 24c behind the equivalent UK price of €7.34/kg. While the trade in Ireland been under some pressure, low supplies have resulted in a more positive price development in some of our European markets in recent weeks. However the average reported price for R3 grading young bulls decreasing by 1c €7.39/kg last week. European prices remained ahead of Irish prices for 9 consecutive weeks and are currently 29c/kg higher.

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

Live Exports

There has been a relatively slow start to the live trading of cattle in the first month of 2026 with poor weather conditions impacting access to ferry crossings. The confirmation of Bluetongue (BTV-3) in Ireland is likely to have a minimal effect on trade within the EU with many countries having derogations for trade in place. Live exports to Northern Ireland for direct slaughter remain unaffected however trade direct to farm is currently not permitted. The confirmation will also cause challenges in exporting to third country markets, with the majority requiring a source country to have BTV3 free status. 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 11,484 cattle traded during the first seven weeks of the year, a 58% reduction on the same period last year. The number of animals being traded is expected to pick up over the next few weeks as we enter the busy calf season.