Throughput: Cattle throughput remained relatively steady last week at 32,251 head (w/e 29/08/2026) in DAFM-approved plants. This is the third consecutive week in which factory throughput has exceeded 32,000 head. Improved cattle availability in recent weeks has seen the deficit against last year's kill reduce to 47,000 head, and this gap is expected to continue to narrow as we move into the final third of the year. Carcase weights also remain strong across all categories, helping to offset some of the decline in cattle throughput recorded year to date.
Increased supplies of prime cattle have been the main driver behind higher throughput levels, with around 25,000 prime cattle processed in each of the past three weeks. Cow throughput has remained relatively stable, with 6,700 cows processed last week.
Cattle supplies remain relatively constrained across much of Europe, helping to provide stability to the beef trade. Inflationary pressures on consumers, combined with historically high beef prices, continue to affect beef purchasing volumes at both retail and foodservice level across key export markets. However, an uplift in demand is expected as we move into the final months of the year.
Quotes: Base quotes have steadied this week at the major meat plants, with steers generally quoted in the region of €6.40/kg, while opening quotes for heifers are around €6.50/kg. Quotes for cull cows vary across the country depending on weight, quality and individual factory demand. On average, good-quality R grading cows are making €6.40/kg, well-fleshed O grade cows around €6.20/kg, while better-quality P grading cows are being quoted between €5.90/kg and €6.00/kg.
Prices: The deadweight price paid for R3 steers at Irish meat plants during the week ending 29 August 2026 was unchanged from the previous week at €6.43/kg. In the corresponding week last year, an R3 steer was paid an average of €7.56/kg. The deadweight cattle trade has also steadied in the UK, with reported prices recording marginal increases last week. The latest UK retail sales data for the 12 weeks ending 09 August 2026 show a 2% decline in overall beef sales, with mince sales in particular under pressure. However, strong promotional activity has driven a 13% increase in steak sales volumes year-on-year.
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 1,728 animals exported in the week ending 29 August 2026.
The short-term outlook remains firm, with exporters continuing to be active in the market sourcing a range of suitable cattle to fulfil export contracts. Year to date, more than 270,000 cattle have been exported. While this is 9% lower than the record levels recorded in 2025, it remains ahead of the corresponding period in previous years.
Stores and adult cattle continue to account for the majority of the trade, representing more than 80% of cattle exported last week. Northern Ireland remains an important market for Irish cattle; however, the trade has softened somewhat in recent weeks. The latest cattle inventory figures from Northern Ireland indicate an increase in the number of slaughter-age cattle currently on farms in the region.
While the short-term outlook remains relatively positive, the longer-term outlook for the live cattle trade is more challenging. Nevertheless, subdued cattle supplies across mainland Europe, together with the continued structural contraction of the European cattle herd, should help underpin demand for Irish cattle in the years ahead
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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