ANALYSIS: Tighter Cattle Supplies and Rising Costs Set to Shape Irish Beef Prices in 2026

The Expana price for cattle steer in Ireland stood at €7.27/kg in the week ending December 10, 2025, representing a 2.9% decline month-over-month (MOM), while remaining sharply higher on an annual basis, up 31.2% year-over-year (YOY). Despite the recent monthly easing, prices continue to reflect tight supply conditions and strong underlying market fundamentals. 

Ireland exports approximately 90% of its beef production, meaning global market conditions play a decisive role in shaping domestic cattle prices. While short-term fluctuations in local supply can influence prices temporarily, export market trends remain...

ANALYSIS: UK Cattle Supply Expected to Tighten by 2026

UK cattle supplies are expected to decline further in 2026, influenced by the reduced calf registrations observed in 2024 and 2025. Producer confidence remains mixed due to uncertainties about the industry’s future, impacted by policy changes such as farm payment reforms and potential inheritance tax adjustments. These factors might accelerate culling activities if producers decide to downsize or exit production, potentially affecting prime cattle availability at the beginning of 2026.

Expanding the beef herd requires time to cycle through production, suggesting that supply recovery in 2026 may be limited. Market analysts caution...

ANALYSIS: Tight UK Cattle and Beef Supplies Drives the Market

The UK cattle and beef market has faced tight supplies recently, primarily due to an elevated slaughter rate earlier in 2025. Record-high prices reported in Q2 2025 contributed to a higher-than-usual slaughter rate in the first half of the year. As a result, the number of cattle available for slaughter in the second half of 2025 has become increasingly limited. 

By June 2025, the UK cattle population had fallen to 4.91 million head, representing a 1.4% decrease compared to the previous year. This marks the lowest population recorded by the Department for...

ANALYSIS Comparing US Boxed Beef Cutout Values to COVID Highs Amid Current Surge

The current weekly average cutout value is $3.84/lb for Choice and $3.64/lb for Select. During the COVID-19 period, the record high for the Select cutout was a weekly average of $4.20/lb in May 2020, but prices sharply declined afterward, dropping to levels well below the five-year average. At this time in 2020, the Select cutout’s weekly average was approximately $2.10/lb, which...