Beef Update
IFA Livestock Chair Declan Hanrahan said current cattle supplies are falling short of factory demand with supplies expected to remain tight in the coming weeks. He said a similar supply situation exists is our key export markets creating significant opportunities and strong potential for sustained beef prices. Cattle throughput is now over back by over 85,000 head to date highlighting the extend of the supply shortage. UK and EU cattle prices have increased further over the past week indicating the strengthening of the beef market. He said factories and their agent’s are very active ringside for the limited number of finished cattle at sales. They are paying prices well above what they are quoting farmers and sellers should consider this outlet before accepting the lower quotes offered by factories. Factories are offering prices for steers from €6.60kg to €6.70kg while heifer prices range from €6.70kg to €6.80kg. Young bull prices are making from €6.70kg to €6.90kg. Cull cow prices are making from €6.10kg to €6.70kg depending on the grade. The IFA Livestock Chair said demand for beef is strong and farmers should sell hard in a rising market.
Beef Price Update 16/07/2026
Base Steer €6.60/6.70kg. Heifers €6.70/6.80kg. Higher deals for larger and specialist lots. Flat deals over €7.40kg. Y Bulls R/U €6.70/6.90Kg. Cows €6.10/6.70kg.
Supply Figures as Reported by DAFM – WK 28 (12.07.2026)
| Animal | Number | Change prev wk | % of total | YTD | YTD Change |
| Y Bulls | 1,957 | ▲53 | 8% | 65,209 | ▼-1,860 |
| Bull | 483 | ▲33 | 2% | 13,698 | ▼-35 |
| Steer | 8,559 | ▲436 | 35% | 313,053 | ▼-22,875 |
| Cow | 6,845 | ▲36 | 28% | 180,553 | ▼-28,551 |
| Heifer | 6,787 | ▲288 | 28% | 262,148 | ▼-30,922 |
| Veal-V | 27 | ▲3 | 0% | 792 | ▼-1,967 |
| Veal-Z | 9 | ▼-10 | 0% | 2,036 | ▲444 |
| Total | 24,667 | ▲839 | 100% | 837,489 | ▼-85,766 |
Official Irish Prices as Reported by DAFM – WK 28 (12.07.2026)
| c/kg (Incl. VAT) | U3 | Change prev wk | R3 | Change prev wk | O3 | Change prev wk | P+3 | Change prev wk |
| Steers | 703 | ▲10 | 693 | ▲7 | 688 | ▲13 | 657 | ▲15 |
| Heifers | 707 | ▲14 | 696 | ▲15 | 692 | ▲12 | 647 | ▲20 |
| Y Bulls | 696 | ▲10 | 683 | ▲8 | 672 | ▲5 | 659 | ▲0 |
| Cows | 0 | ▲0 | 653 | ▲7 | 630 | ▲17 | 623 | ▲20 |
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 |
| 04/07/2026 | 602.6 | 605.6 | 602.2 | 608.3 | 590.1 | 587.0 | 514.5 |
| 11/07/2026 | 606.0 | 606.5 | 604.2 | 609.7 | 591.7 | 591.7 | 521.5 |
| Change | ▲3 | ▲1 | ▲0 | ▲1 | ▲2 | ▲5 | ▲7 |
| Price in c/kg (Incl VAT) | 744.1 | 744.7 | 741.9 | 748.7 | 726.6 | 726.6 | 640.4 |
Euro Price for the Most Recent Week (€/KG Deadweight excl. VAT)
| Country & Type | 01.07.2024 | 05.07.2025 | 05.07.2026 |
| EU + Y Bulls R3 | € 4.93 | € 6.76 | €6.47 |
| IE + Steers R3 | € 4.99 | € 7.18 | € 6.57 |
| UK + Steers R3 | € 5.60 | € 7.37 | €6.95 |
Live cattle exports 29th June
Sheep Update
IFA Sheep Chairman Adrian Gallagher said lamb prices remain steady this week. Factories are offering deals for spring lambs from €9.00kg to €9.30kg with higher deals for groups and larger lots. Weekly hogget throughput has fallen below 1,400 head for the latest week with supplies almost dried up for 2026. Factories are paying prices from €8.00kg to €8.30kg for the limited supplies available. Cull ewe prices are making from €5.10kg to €5.50kg. Adrian Gallagher said its important factories maintain strong and viable prices to main confidence in the sheep and ensure store lamb buyers remain active in marts.
Lamb Price Update 16/07/2026
Hoggets €8.00/8.30kg. Weights to 23kg. Spring Lamb €9.00/9.30kg. Weights to 21.5kg. Higher deals groups/larger lots. Ewes €5.20/5.50/kg.
Supply Figures as Reported by DAFM – WK 28 (12.07.2026)
| Animal | Figure | Change | YTD | YTD Change |
| Lambs/Hoggets | 1,391 | ▼-314 | 695,441 | ▼-58,242 |
| Spring Lambs | 33,006 | ▲1,611 | 256,333 | ▼-22,667 |
| Ewes and Rams | 5,078 | ▲60 | 134,835 | ▲44,245 |
| Light Lambs | 0 | ▲0 | 0 | ▼-110 |
| TOTAL | 39,475 | ▲1,357 | 1,086,609 | ▼-36,774 |
Official Irish Prices as Reported by DAFM – WK 28 (12.07.2026)
| c/kg (Incl. VAT) | This week | Change prev. wk | 2025 | Change prev. yr |
| National Avg Price | 859.94 | ▼-19 | 791.11 | ▲69 |
| YTD Avg | 847.95 | ▲0 | 860.55 | ▼-10 |
Official GB Prices as Reported by AHDB
| R3L | Overall SQQ* | Type of lamb | |
| 04/07/2026 | 831.3 | 830.5 | New season Lamb |
| 11/07/2026 | 803.2 | 803.7 | New season Lamb |
| Change | ▼-28 | ▼-27 | |
| Price in c/kg (Incl VAT) | 986.3 | 986.9 | 1 |
Live Sheep Exports
