Key facts
- Irish beef production declined by 14% year-on-year at the start of 2026.
- The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) states cattle prices have fallen by 80c/kg or more since January.
- Farmers are facing significant losses on cattle bought last autumn.
- Meat Industry Ireland (MII) confirmed a 19% year-on-year decrease in throughput.
- The ICSA questions why factory prices are falling when cattle supplies are tightening.
The Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) has expressed strong criticism regarding the current state of the Irish beef market, asserting that the decline in cattle prices is illogical given a significant drop in beef production. According to RaboResearch's latest Global Beef Quarterly report, Ireland experienced the sharpest decline in beef production within the EU at the beginning of 2026, with a 14% year-on-year fall. Sean Sherman, the ICSA beef chairperson, stated that factory quotes have fallen by 80c/kg or more since January, leading many farmers to face substantial losses on cattle purchased last autumn. He highlighted that this price collapse contradicts the widely acknowledged tightening of cattle supplies, a point also confirmed by Teagasc and Meat Industry Ireland (MII), which reported a 19% decrease in throughput. Farmers who paid high prices for store cattle based on market signals of tight supply and strong demand are now facing significant financial setbacks. The ICSA is seeking an explanation for this market contradiction, warning that continued price erosion amid scarce supply could lead more farmers to exit beef finishing.