Key facts
- Beef processors in Northern Ireland are cutting prices, impacting farmers, according to the Ulster Farmers' Union.
- UK consumers are reducing beef consumption when dining out, leading to its diminished presence on menus.
- Carnew Mart reported strong trade for sheep and dairy, with hogget and spring lamb prices strengthening since March.
- Dairy cows averaged €3,500 at Carnew Mart in March.
- Tuam mart had 175 cattle on offer with a 95% clearance rate.
- Prices for bullocks, heifers, and cows were down compared to the previous year at Tuam mart.
- Thurles Mart saw 173 calves on offer, with export buyers purchasing nearly 70% of them.
- Calf prices at Thurles Mart ranged from €320-€450 per head.
- Domestic milk intake decreased by 37.1 million litres in April 2026 compared to April 2025.
- Ornua's Purchase Price Index (PPI) rose to 129.8 in May.
- Ornua issued an €8.5 million Value Payment to member co-ops.
- 1,608 metric tons of grain were traded on ClearGrain and igrainX.
In Northern Ireland, the Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) has expressed concern that beef processors are aggressively cutting prices, creating an unsustainable situation for family farm businesses. UFU beef and lamb chair Brendan Kelly highlighted that farmers are facing high input costs while receiving lower prices, a stark contrast to unchanged retailer prices. He warned that this trend could lead to a reduction in the number of beef farms in the region.
Across the UK, beef is no longer the central feature on restaurant menus as consumers cut back on dining out due to financial pressures. The share of red meat on UK menus has fallen to 24.0%, with beef volumes dropping by 3.7 million kg last year. Restaurants are increasingly positioning beef as an ingredient rather than a main dish, while pork has seen an increase in menu share.
In contrast, Irish marts are experiencing strong trade in certain sectors. Carnew Mart has reported robust prices for both sheep and dairy. Hogget and spring lamb prices have strengthened significantly since March, and dairy sales have been positive, with cows averaging €3,500 in March and strong interest in calves. Tuam mart held a general cattle sale with 175 cattle, where demand from export buyers was low, though the clearance rate was high at approximately 95%. Prices for bullocks, heifers, and cows were down compared to the previous year, with factory price quotes for bullocks decreasing notably since January.
Thurles Mart reported a strong calf trade as the season nears its end, with 173 calves on offer. Export buyers were active, purchasing nearly 70% of the calves at prices ranging from €320 to €450 per head. The mart manager observed an increase in calf numbers, contrary to a national downward trend, attributing this to favorable weather.
Regarding dairy, domestic milk intake by processors and co-ops in April 2026 decreased by 37.1 million litres compared to April 2025, totaling an estimated 1.037 billion litres. This represents a 3.5% year-over-year drop but a 9% increase from April 2024. Fat content in the milk rose, while protein content saw a slight decrease.
Ornua's Purchase Price Index (PPI) increased to 129.8 in May from 127.0 in April, reflecting improved market returns on dairy products. Estimated processing costs remained stable at 9.5c/L, resulting in an indicative return of 36.6c/L after costs. Ornua also issued an €8.5 million Value Payment to member co-ops.
Several programs are offering guidance to farmers. The Agriland and Teagasc DairyBeef 500 team are publishing a series on calf management for improved weaning and grazing performance. The Advantage Beef Programme is providing advice on transitioning calves to grass, emphasizing concentrate intake, fiber, water, grass quality management, and electric fencing. Updates from ABP Monitor Farms in Sligo offer insights into suckler and dairy-beef farm operations.
In other agricultural news, 1,608 metric tons of grain were traded on ClearGrain and igrainX, with increased XF demand in Victoria and New South Wales, though grain prices remain high despite recent rainfall. Ashbourne Meats hosted a Limousin carcase competition, awarding €2,000 in prizes to winners from Co. Cork and Co. Mayo. US commercial crude inventories fell by 8 million barrels to 433.7 million barrels in the week ending May 29th, though a lasting price break is considered unlikely.
Supply of young bulls for beef kill remains steady, while other cattle types are down. Young bulls represent a small fraction of the total beef kill.