Irish cattle supplies remain tight while beef prices begin to stabilise, narrowing the gap with European averages after several weeks of decline.

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Cattle supplies available for processing in Ireland have continued to tighten, driven by reduced slaughter-age numbers on farms and lower cow throughput. For the week ending 4 October, total cattle throughput stood at 27,415 head, down 33% from the same week in 2024, when more than 40,900 cattle were processed.

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Despite strong throughput in the first half of the year, the supply of prime cattle has fallen sharply in recent months, leaving the year-to-date kill 4.6% lower at 45,627 head below 2024 levels. Cow slaughter numbers are also down 17%, reflecting a combination of higher milk prices and the long-term effects of elevated culling in prior years. Overall, national throughput at Department of Agriculture–approved plants is running 8% behind last year’s pace.

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Market Quotes and Pricing Trends

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Base quotes from major beef processors have eased but appear to be stabilising. Starting prices this week are reported at €7.20–€7.30/kg for steers and €7.30–€7.40/kg for heifers, with R-grade cows quoted around €7.00–€7.10/kg. Well-fleshed O-grade cows are achieving €6.80–€6.90/kg, while prices for P-grade animals continue to vary widely depending on carcass quality and fat score.

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Average R3 steer prices edged up to €7.19/kg for the week ending 4 October, slightly below the UK equivalent of €7.42/kg. While Irish and UK prices have eased in recent weeks, mainland Europe has seen modest improvement — the average R3 young bull price rose by €0.06/kg to €7.12/kg, narrowing the gap with Irish levels to just €0.07/kg.

(All prices exclude VAT but include relevant bonus payments such as in-spec and breed-based premiums.)

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Live Export Activity

Live export volumes have shown early signs of recovery after a quieter summer period. Trade had slowed due to strong domestic cattle prices and unseasonably high temperatures across continental Europe, which reduced demand for imported livestock. Exporters have become more active entering October, particularly around local marts, as demand begins to rebuild.

Cross-border trade with Northern Ireland, however, has remained subdued amid improved local cattle availability and evolving deadweight pricing dynamics north of the border.

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Source:Bord Bia, This article is a condensed and independently written summary of original reporting and market data from Bord Bia, adapted for Dalytrading.co.uk.