Beef Update
IFA Livestock Chair Declan Hanrahan said increased retail sales of beef in key markets in recent weeks must be returned to farmers in higher beef prices by factories. “The turnaround in beef sales in the important retail sector will be further supported by increased demand from food service over the summer period.” He said positive market conditions must now be utilised by meat factories to take back control in the marketplace and increase prices to farmers. “The improved demand for beef in recent weeks is becoming evident on the ground as factories have again started ringing around looking for cattle,” he said. Declan Hanrahan said supplies are very finely balanced and factories will have to increase prices to get the numbers they need to process in the coming weeks. “Farmers should sell hard as factories are actively looking for cattle. Market demand is increasing and prices well above those quoted have been paid, particularly for larger and specialist lots,” he concluded.
Beef Price Update 05/06/2026
Base Steer €6.20/6.40kg. Heifers €6.30/6.50kg. Higher deals for larger and specialist lots. Y Bulls R/U €6.50/6.70Kg. Cows €5.70/6.50kg.
Supply Figures as Reported by DAFM – WK 22 (31.05.2026)
| Animal | Number | Change prev wk | % of total | YTD | YTD Change |
| Y Bulls | 2,530 | ▲309 | 8% | 50,950 | ▲177 |
| Bull | 625 | ▼-37 | 2% | 10,184 | ▼-297 |
| Steer | 11,433 | ▼-627 | 38% | 255,171 | ▼-22,734 |
| Cow | 6,736 | ▼-61 | 22% | 142,188 | ▼-27,099 |
| Heifer | 8,917 | ▼-723 | 29% | 216,847 | ▼-27,125 |
| Veal-V | 2 | ▼-19 | 0% | 620 | ▼-1,947 |
| Veal-Z | 18 | ▼-1 | 0% | 1,927 | ▲505 |
| Total | 30,261 | ▼-1,159 | 100% | 677,887 | ▼-78,520 |
Official Irish Prices as Reported by DAFM – WK 22 (31.05.2026)
| Animal | Number | Change prev wk | % of total | YTD | YTD Change |
| Y Bulls | 2,530 | ▲309 | 8% | 50,950 | ▲177 |
| Bull | 625 | ▼-37 | 2% | 10,184 | ▼-297 |
| Steer | 11,433 | ▼-627 | 38% | 255,171 | ▼-22,734 |
| Cow | 6,736 | ▼-61 | 22% | 142,188 | ▼-27,099 |
| Heifer | 8,917 | ▼-723 | 29% | 216,847 | ▼-27,125 |
| Veal-V | 2 | ▼-19 | 0% | 620 | ▼-1,947 |
| Veal-Z | 18 | ▼-1 | 0% | 1,927 | ▲505 |
| Total | 30,261 | ▼-1,159 | 100% | 677,887 | ▼-78,520 |
Official Irish Prices as Reported by DAFM – WK 22 (31.05.2026)
| c/kg (Incl. VAT) | U3 | Change prev wk | R3 | Change prev wk | O3 | Change prev wk | P+3 | Change prev wk |
| Steers | 682 | ▼-9 | 672 | ▼-10 | 662 | ▼-9 | 626 | ▼-13 |
| Heifers | 695 | ▼-6 | 679 | ▼-10 | 672 | ▼-7 | 620 | ▼-12 |
| Y Bulls | 677 | ▼-9 | 663 | ▼-5 | 649 | ▼-11 | 628 | ▼-23 |
| Cows | 0 | ▲0 | 620 | ▼-14 | 698 | ▲89 | 588 | ▼-10 |
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 |
| 23/05/2026 | 602.6 | 602.7 | 600.1 | 606.8 | 584.1 | 581.1 | 509.8 |
| 30/05/2026 | 598.1 | 600.4 | 598.4 | 603.9 | 585.1 | 582.5 | 511.6 |
| Change | ▼-5 | ▼-2 | ▲0 | ▼-3 | ▲1 | ▲1 | ▲2 |
| Price in c/kg (Incl VAT) | 734.4 | 737.2 | 734.8 | 741.5 | 718.4 | 715.3 | 628.2 |
Euro Price for the Most Recent Week (€/KG Deadweight excl. VAT)
| Country & Type | 27.05.2024 | 01.06.2025 | 30.05.2026 |
| EU + Y Bulls R3 | € 4.96 | € 5.07 | €6.61 |
| IE + Steers R3 | € 5.22 | € 5.13 | € 6.44 |
| UK + Steers R3 | € 5.70 | € 5.66 | €6.85 |
Live Cattle Exports 18th May
Sheep Update
IFA Sheep Chairman Adrian Gallager said factories remain anxious for lambs as prices remain strong and steady. He said factories are offering deals on spring lambs from €9.70kg to €9.90kg on weights to 21kg. Hogget prices are making from €9.20kg to €9.50kg. Cull ewe prices are ranging from €5.30kg to €5.50kg. He said the strong prices are been extended to mart sales where prices for heavy fleshed lambs are exceeding factory prices in some instances. Farmers should be mindful of this outlet and shop around before selling lambs. Adrian Gallagher said factories are anxious for lambs and farmers should sell hard while moving lambs as they become fit.
Lamb Price Update 05/06/2026
Hoggets €9.20/9.50kg. Weights to 23kg. Spring Lamb €9.70/9.90kg. Weights to 21kg. Higher deals groups/larger lots. Ewes €5.20/5.50/kg.
Supply Figures as Reported by DAFM – WK 22 (31.05.2026)
| Animal | Figure | Change | YTD | YTD Change |
| Lambs/Hoggets | 17,300 | ▼-6,779 | 671,969 | ▼-48,159 |
| Spring Lambs | 21,599 | ▲6,655 | 93,321 | ▲5,853 |
| Ewes and Rams | 5,978 | ▲197 | 102,688 | ▲34,214 |
| Light Lambs | 0 | ▲0 | 0 | ▼-91 |
| TOTAL | 44,877 | ▲73 | 867,978 | ▼-8,183 |
Official Irish Prices as Reported by DAFM – WK 22 (31.05.2026)
| c/kg (Incl. VAT) | This week | Change prev. wk | 2025 | Change prev. yr |
| National Avg Price | 935.36 | ▲16 | 820.73 | ▲115 |
| YTD Avg | 847.95 | ▲10 | 872.94 | ▼-39 |
Official GB Prices as Reported by AHDB
| R3L | Overall SQQ* | Type of lamb | |
| 23/05/2026 | 942.5 | 944.1 | New season Lamb |
| 30/05/2026 | 940.9 | 943.1 | New season Lamb |
| Change | ▼-2 | ▼-1 | |
| Price in c/kg (Incl VAT) | 1155.3 | 1158.0 | 1 |
Live Sheep Exports
