The famous phrase “what goes up must come down” is often used when describing trends in markets. Speak to any beef finisher this week and they will know all about this phenomenon, being only too aware of where beef prices have gone in the last few months.

The current prices are now down over €1/kg on where they were 12 months ago.

While factories have been quick to point to demand issues and chills being full of beef, the reality is there is very little transparency around any of these claims.

The Agri-Food regulator information detailed by Phelim O’Neill on page 28 this week shows that the price of finished cattle took an unprecedented rise in the first four months of 2025.

Phelim looks at this price at the end of April this year and shows that the forequarter value of €6.76/kg is actually higher than it was in the same week last year.

Meanwhile, the value of hindquarter has fallen by 36c/kg to €8.82/kg and the value of the 5% fat 500g mince is back down from the €11.24/kg seen at the end of April last year to €10.83/kg at the same point this year.

Interestingly, the rate of decline of beef prices being paid by consumers hasn’t dropped in line with beef prices paid to farmers in 2026, suggesting that a higher margin is being achieved somewhere along the supply chain beyond the factory gate.