Factory price cuts deepen finisher losses in 2026 Irish beef market

Factory quotes for steers, heifers and cows have all been reduced by a further 10 c/kg for the fourth consecutive week of falling prices, with the processors laying the blame on weaker markets for Irish beef

The cow prices have also slipped by a similar amount, with R grade cows now at 640c/kg, while weathering the cuts best is the young bulls at 690-695c/kg to be got for R grade.

Another price cut for beef animals at the factories this week is bleeding the confidence of finishers in the future of the sector, as their losses on factory-ready animals mount up.

The factory quotes for steers, heifers and cows have all been reduced by a further 10 c/kg for the fourth consecutive week of falling prices, and a general falling trend since the beginning of 2026, with the processors laying the blame on weaker markets for Irish beef.