Beef Update
IFA Livestock Chair Declan Hanrahan said increasing demand for beef and tightening of supplies in our key markets must be reflected in stronger beef prices. Recent promotions of beef in the UK market have gone very well, with stronger orders from the UK market as a result. Tightening of supplies in this market has steadied UK and NI beef prices considerably, with only very marginal declines in beef price in recent weeks,” he said. Declan Hanrahan said this is completely at odds with the race to the bottom approach by our factories.“ The turnaround in market conditions must now be reflected in higher beef prices here. Farmers should push back strongly on the negativity from factories and their agents. Market conditions are improving, demand for cattle is increasing as prices stabilise in the key UK market and factories must reflect this,” he said.. He said we are continually told by Bord Bia about the need for standards and ever higher standards to maintain markets. Yet as soon as the first wave of Southern hemisphere beef entered the UK market, we were left high and dry with our standards as beef from Brazil, New Zealand and Australia took our place. “Bord Bia were quick out of the blocks claiming credit for the increased export value of beef last year when we hit record prices, but that is in the past. What we need now is our food marketing agency to step up with a significant promotional campaign that will win back customers and drive volume sales in key, high-value markets on our doorstep,” he concluded.
Beef Price Update 11/06/2026
Base Steer €6.20/6.40kg. Heifers €6.30/6.50kg. Higher deals for larger and specialist lots. Y Bulls R/U €6.40/6.60Kg. Cows €5.70/6.30kg.
Supply Figures as Reported by DAFM – WK 23 (07.06.2026)
| Animal | Number | Change prev wk | % of total | YTD | YTD Change |
| Y Bulls | 2,769 | ▲239 | 10% | 53,376 | ▼-166 |
| Bull | 683 | ▲58 | 2% | 10,833 | ▼-331 |
| Steer | 10,252 | ▼-1,181 | 36% | 267,097 | ▼-21,060 |
| Cow | 6,755 | ▲19 | 24% | 148,118 | ▼-27,924 |
| Heifer | 7,960 | ▼-957 | 28% | 225,902 | ▼-26,030 |
| Veal-V | 88 | ▲86 | 0% | 647 | ▼-2,008 |
| Veal-Z | 48 | ▲30 | 0% | 1,946 | ▲476 |
| Total | 28,555 | ▼-1,706 | 100% | 707,919 | ▼-77,043 |
Official Irish Prices as Reported by DAFM – WK 23 (07.06.2026)
| c/kg (Incl. VAT) | U3 | Change prev wk | R3 | Change prev wk | O3 | Change prev wk | P+3 | Change prev wk |
| Steers | 673 | ▼-9 | 664 | ▼-8 | 655 | ▼-7 | 620 | ▼-6 |
| Heifers | 688 | ▼-7 | 672 | ▼-7 | 658 | ▼-14 | 614 | ▼-6 |
| Y Bulls | 667 | ▼-10 | 652 | ▼-11 | 641 | ▼-8 | 623 | ▼-5 |
| Cows | 0 | ▲0 | 623 | ▲3 | 588 | ▼-110 | 575 | ▼-13 |
Official GB Prices as Reported by AHDB
| Steers | Steers | Heifers | Heifers | Y bull | Y bull | Cow | |
| p/kg | R3 | R4L | R3 | R4L | R3 | R4L | -O4L |
| 30/05/2026 | 598.1 | 600.4 | 598.4 | 603.9 | 585.1 | 582.5 | 511.6 |
| 06/06/2026 | 597.3 | 600.6 | 597.2 | 603.0 | 582.7 | 581.1 | 512.5 |
| Change | ▼-1 | ▲0 | ▲0 | ▼-1 | ▼-2 | ▼-1 | ▲1 |
| Price in c/kg (Incl VAT) | 733.4 | 737.5 | 733.3 | 740.4 | 715.5 | 713.5 | 629.3 |
Euro Price for the Most Recent Week (€/KG Deadweight excl. VAT)
| Country & Type | 03.06.2024 | 07.06.2025 | 06.06.2026 |
| EU + Y Bulls R3 | € 4.90 | € 6.43 | €6.60 |
| IE + Steers R3 | € 5.19 | € 7.48 | € 6.35 |
| UK + Steers R3 | € 5.67 | € 7.74 | €6.85 |
Live cattle exports 1st June
Sheep Update
IFA Sheep Chairman Adrian Gallagher said lamb prices increase by up to 10c/kg to 20c/kg this week as demand for sheep meat continues to strengthen. He said market conditions remain very positive in our key export markets. Returns across the EU are moving in the same direction with GB and French prices now making over €10.80kg and €10.50kg this week. The lower volumes of sheep meat produced here and across the EU combined with steady consumer demand particularly boosted by religious festival in recent weeks continues to drive the trade. Prices this week are ranging from €9.70kg to €10.10kg for spring lambs with weights increasing to 21.5kg. Hogget prices remain firm and are making from €9.30kg to €9.50kg. Cull ewes are making from €5.20kg to €5.50kg in general. Adrian Gallagher said its important factories continue this upward trajectory in prices to maintain confidence in the sector.
Lamb Price Update 11/06/2026
Hoggets €9.30/9.50kg. Weights to 23kg. Spring Lamb €9.70/10.10kg. Weights to 21.5kg. Higher deals groups/larger lots. Ewes €5.20/5.50/kg.
Supply Figures as Reported by DAFM – WK 23 (07.06.2026)
| Animal | Figure | Change | YTD | YTD Change |
| Lambs/Hoggets | 9,358 | ▼-7,942 | 681,327 | ▼-55,063 |
| Spring Lambs | 17,458 | ▼-4,141 | 110,779 | ▼-7,029 |
| Ewes and Rams | 5,745 | ▼-233 | 108,433 | ▲36,713 |
| Light Lambs | 0 | ▲0 | 0 | ▼-99 |
| TOTAL | 32,561 | ▼-12,316 | 900,539 | ▼-25,478 |
Official Irish Prices as Reported by DAFM – WK 23 (07.06.2026)
| c/kg (Incl. VAT) | This week | Change prev. wk | 2025 | Change prev. yr |
| National Avg Price | 922.93 | ▼-12 | 813.7 | ▲109 |
| YTD Avg | 847.95 | ▲4 | 870.36 | ▼-33 |
Official GB Prices as Reported by AHDB
| R3L | Overall SQQ* | Type of lamb | |
| 30/05/2026 | 940.9 | 943.1 | New season Lamb |
| 06/06/2026 | 935.7 | 936.0 | New season Lamb |
| Change | ▼-5 | ▼-7 | |
| Price in c/kg (Incl VAT) | 1149.0 | 1149.3 | 1 |
Live Sheep Exports
