The beef trade has seen a big lift this week with quotes rising by 10-20c/kg in some locations. Finished cattle numbers are very tight on farms, with agents scrambling for supplies.

Bullocks have moved to a €6.60-€6.70/kg base price, with heifers at a €6.80-€6.90/kg base price.

Over-30-month cattle have also seen a lift, with flat prices of up to €7.20/kg being paid as the week progresses.

A large gap remains between the British and Irish beef price, with the latest Bord Bia data pointing to a gap of 60c/kg, or over €200/head, on a typical animal.

The usual increase in numbers being finished off grass in autumn isn’t being seen. The 2026 kill is currently shaping up to be the lowest in a decade.

Industry sources are saying that Christmas demand is already starting to be factored into budgets, with large factory aligned feeders actively sourcing cattle for the Christmas trade over the last month.

This has seen a lift in prices in marts for forward store cattle, with Irish Farmers Journal’s Martbids analysis showing 500-600kg heifers up from €55 to €165/head in the last seven days.