Ireland’s network of cattle marts finished 2025 in a stronger position than anticipated with 1.86 million cattle traded, a fall of just 22,268 head on the high sales figures recorded in 2024.
This is despite fewer calf birth registrations and a reduction in the national cattle herd.
The number of cattle presented for sale in 2025 actually fell by 61,824 head, but the number of cattle returning home unsold reduced from 89,435 head in 2024 to 49,879 head in 2025.
The number of cattle unsold is possibly the lowest percentage on record, with numbers averaging in the region of 100,000 head of cattle unsold in the last five to six years.
This was underpinned by a much sharper trade in sales and jump in sales values.
The high prices on offer in marts – and in particular the scale of the price increase in spring – encouraged more farmers to market calves and slaughter-fit cattle live.
Marts in Munster were by far the busiest of all regions and handled 48% of all cattle sold.
This was followed by 24% of cattle sales in Leinster, 19% in Connacht and 9% in Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan.
Marts in Leinster were the only region to record an increase in sales in 2025, rising by 6,530 head or 1.5%.
Marts are hopeful of similar sales figures in 2026 and are just a few weeks away from peak monthly throughput.
Farm-to-farm moves
The increase in farmers opting to market stock in marts is also seen in farm-to-farm movements of bovines which reduced by 66,903 head to 1.27 million head.
There was a similar regional trend, with 571,791 head or 45% of all cattle moving off farms in Munster, 33% in Leinster, 14% in Connacht and 8% in Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan.
Ireland’s network of cattle marts finished 2025 in a stronger position than anticipated with 1.86 million cattle traded, a fall of just 22,268 head on the high sales figures recorded in 2024.
This is despite fewer calf birth registrations and a reduction in the national cattle herd.
The number of cattle presented for sale in 2025 actually fell by 61,824 head, but the number of cattle returning home unsold reduced from 89,435 head in 2024 to 49,879 head in 2025.
The number of cattle unsold is possibly the lowest percentage on record, with numbers averaging in the region of 100,000 head of cattle unsold in the last five to six years.
This was underpinned by a much sharper trade in sales and jump in sales values.
The high prices on offer in marts – and in particular the scale of the price increase in spring – encouraged more farmers to market calves and slaughter-fit cattle live.
Marts in Munster were by far the busiest of all regions and handled 48% of all cattle sold.
This was followed by 24% of cattle sales in Leinster, 19% in Connacht and 9% in Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan.
Marts in Leinster were the only region to record an increase in sales in 2025, rising by 6,530 head or 1.5%.
Marts are hopeful of similar sales figures in 2026 and are just a few weeks away from peak monthly throughput.
Farm-to-farm moves
The increase in farmers opting to market stock in marts is also seen in farm-to-farm movements of bovines which reduced by 66,903 head to 1.27 million head.
There was a similar regional trend, with 571,791 head or 45% of all cattle moving off farms in Munster, 33% in Leinster, 14% in Connacht and 8% in Cavan, Donegal and Monaghan.
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