Major shifts in some of the main beef exporting countries in the world are likely to impact world beef markets in 2026. The latest projections from the US Department of Agriculture offices in Buenos Aires are pointing to a 256,000t carcase weight drop in beef exports from Mercosur countries in 2026.
Heavy cow culling and herd rebuilding are being signalled as some of the reasons for the reduction in exports. When this is coupled with expected drops of 35,000t of Australian beef exports and a 53,000t cut in USA beef exports, two of the largest beef exporters in the world, it could create opportunity for others to fill the gaps in some markets.
The news this week that US president Donald Trump is planning to help beef producers by paying them to hold back heifers for breeding has been met with a mixed reaction.
Some US producers have been supportive, while others say that it could cause sharp reductions in cattle availability for feedlots and drive store cattle prices even higher, something finishers are already finding it difficult to deal with.
Factory prices
Back home factories continue to apply pressure to the trade with this week’s bullock quotes coming in at €7.10-€7.20/kg, while heifers are being quoted at €7.20-€7.30/kg.
Some are signalling a move to €7/kg for next week, but are meeting big farmer resistance in doing so.
The mart trade continues to perform well, however, a slight cooling off in exporter activity has dented the trade a little.
Top-quality bull weanlings in the 300-400kg weight bracket are still selling well north of €6/kg.
Heavier weanlings were back a little this week to the tune of 20-30c/kg. Mart sales continue to get bigger, with last week’s unsettled conditions driving numbers to marts.
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