Beef prices in Ireland, Italy, Spain and Poland are currently “going through a downward correction”, a European Commission report on beef markets has found.

“Prices continued at high level but stabilized and slightly declined in recent weeks. The evolution of the dairy market and punctual destocking may have an influence on such corrections,” the report said. However, it added that the short supply of cattle in the EU and the robust demand continue to sustain high prices and favourable margins for producers.

While prices in some countries are trending downwards, beef prices in France and Germany are increasing.

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Supply remains a challenge in the EU beef market, with production for 2025 down 4.2% compared to 2024. Significant declines were witnesses in the majority of EU member states

In week 12 of 2026, the EU average price for carcasses of adult male cattle was €7.13/kg. The price was down 1.41% on the previous week, down 1.48% on the previous month and up 12.74% on the same week in 2025.

Supply remains a challenge in the EU beef market, with production for 2025 down 4.2% compared to 2024. Significant declines were witnesses in the majority of EU member states.

Exports

On the export front, EU beef exports declined by 16.5% compared to 2024 levels.

“The shortage of animals and the decline in the production, together with a decreased competitiveness due to the high prices, is limiting EU’s capacity to export,” the Commission report said.

Some 38% of EU beef exports went to the UK last year, the biggest market for EU beef. Exports to the UK were down almost 8% last year.

Last year, the beef imports to the EU were up 19.1% year-on-year.

Imports increased from all the main partners, except the US. UK and Brazil were the top suppliers, followed by Argentina and Uruguay.

The short internal EU supply and the high prices are attracting imports to meet the demand, the Commission said.