The latest data published by the Livestock and Meat Commission (LMC) shows that the beef price gap between NI and the Republic of Ireland narrowed to just 3.8p/kg for U3 grading steers in the week ending 12 July 2025.
It is the smallest price gap between NI and ROI since February 2023, when it stood at 1.6p/kg.
The narrowing of prices in recent weeks comes after the NI beef trade saw prices paid fall 51.2p/kg over a 10-week period. In the week ending 19 April, U3 steers averaged 692.3p/kg, which compares to 641.1p/kg in the week to 12 July.
Similar reductions were seen in Britain, with a drop in price of 66.2p/kg from 714.8p/kg, however, in ROI, there has been a 30.3p/kg fall over a similar period from a high of 667.9p/kg.
In February 2025, the gap between NI and ROI for U3 steers was at its widest at 66.6p/kg, while between ROI and Britain there was an 114.9p/kg difference.
LMC data for last week shows the beef price gap between NI and ROI for R3 steers has narrowed even further to just 1.4p/kg, with prices in ROI up 13.7p/kg to average 640.8p/kg.
Mart trade
Meanwhile, LMC data on the local mart trade shows prices paid for finished, store and dropped calves in June 2025 are up by an average of 35.6% when compared to June 2024.
Prices have been particularly strong for 1st quality steers under 400kgs, which have averaged 501p/kg across the month.
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