Cattle
This year so far has seen unprecedented changes in the beef price and in the supply and demand for beef. The year started with prices for all classes of prime cattle rising not just on a weekly basis but during the week as well as a ‘price war’ situation arose as abattoirs tried out-bidding each other in an attempt to procure there share of the supply to satisfy their customer’s demand.
This resulted in list pricing rising over the first 3 months of 2025 to a record high of more than 725p/kg deadweight with some processors dealing above these prices. Premiums were of up to 30p/kg for Aberdeen Angus x and 100p/kg premium for organic prime cattle. Cows also reached record breaking prices of over 600p/kg.
These prices unfortunately became unsustainable and as we approached the second half of March when processors had to re-negotiate prices with the main retailers for the next 3-month period, this resulted in big price rises being agreed for beef sales. This had a knock-on effect of major price rises at supermarket level. As an example, the long-standing sirloin, ribeye or rump steak mix and match deals offered by most supermarkets at 2 x 227g steaks for £8.00 ended and was replaced by a single 227g steak being offered at around£6.50 each.
The result – a big drop in demand for steaks and roasts and an increase in demand for lower priced cuts for stewing and mincing, followed by lower weekly kills at the abattoirs and the deadweight price dropping quickly through April and May before stabilising by mid-June to around 630p/kg for prime clean cattle.
As we head in to harvest the supply of cattle is tightening as it usually does through July and August and abattoirs are beginning to offer premiums for larger lots of cattle. The demand for cows is also increasing as we head through the summer when as the supply tightens.
Despite the recent fall in cattle prices, they still remain strong and are unlikely to drop below 600p/kg for the rest of the year.
Sheep
The hogg market in 2025 started the year strong and dropped steadily through out the season. This saw a lot of people holding onto hoggs in wait of the higher prices as we headed towards Easter and the Religious festivals, however, unusually this did not happen, and the price continued to drop as the Abattoirs kept kill numbers to an absolute minimum. As a result, an increased volume of hoggs was directed to live markets, which contributed to additional declines in hogg prices.
The new season lambs have been slow to come forward despite the good weather at lambing time. This may have been due to the period of drought experienced in many areas in late Spring resulting in less milk on the ewes and lack of young grass. This has resulted in prices slowly rising as the season progresses and they are currently achieving prices from740p to 755p/kg deadweight. The prices are likely to fall back as the supply strengthens, and bigger numbers come forward. Demand remains strong.
