Beef prices hold firm as weekly kill hits 18-month high

Beef prices remain firm despite cattle throughput reaching its highest level in more than 18 months, as factories are reported to be "anxious" for all available stock.

Beef prices remain firm despite cattle throughput reaching its highest level in more than 18 months, with factories reported to be anxious for all available stock.

Overall, beef prices at the factories remained very steady this week, with processors anxious for cattle while conceding as little as is absolutely necessary to secure the required stock.

The stable market, against the background of a surge in supply to the factories last week to the highest weekly intake for more than 18 months, is a confidence booster that the markets for beef are far more buoyant than producers are being led to believe.

The intake last week was 35,161 head, the highest weekly supply since early April 2025 and more than 9,000 head higher than in the same week in 2025.

Nevertheless, the vibes this week are that processors are “very anxious” for all available cattle.

The prices paid for stock last week have been fully maintained, with some suppliers securing a further slight increase, particularly for good stock and larger numbers on offer.

But the overall assessment of the price climate is that processors are exercising determination to ensure that there is no runaway upward scale in the cost of stock being purchased.

Current prices are running €130-150/head down on a year ago, but are stronger than some of the expectations earlier in the year for the autumn trade.

Higher beef production costs in 2026 must be added in to show the actual downturn in margins for finishers compared with 2025.

Steers are working off a base of 670-680c/kg this week, with some suppliers of larger numbers of higher-quality animals targeting a base of 690-695c/kg before parting with their stock.

Heifers are operating on a base of 680-690c/kg, with up to 700c/kg being reported from deals with the factories.

The overall word within the trade this week is that factories are very anxious for cattle, and the air of positivity in the beef market since the ban on imports into the EU from Brazil was implemented is delivering for producers, as Irish exporters continue to fill some of the void in the markets.

Demand from the catering and manufacturing sectors has also held its ground, with firmer prices prevailing all round.

Good-quality R-grade cows continue to be in demand at around 620-625c/kg and up to 630c/kg in some cases, while R-grade young bulls are making 710-720c/kg.

Supply last week, as mentioned above, came to 35,161 head, with strength in all categories.

The supply included 15,638 steers, 10,757 heifers, 7,011 cows and 1,340 young bulls.