Global cattle prices

Around the world farmgate cattle prices vary, affected by various factors, most obviously supply and demand. Some of these factors are more local in nature and might include logistical and supply chain issues, such as transportation costs between farm, abattoir, cutting plant and dispatch location, or problems with processing capacity.

Figure 1. Global liveweight cattle prices (£/kg), June 2024–June 2026

Source: AHDB/LAA/IAAS, INAC, USDA, Consorcoi de Exportadores de Carnes Argentinas, Informe Ganadero Argentina

Figure 1 shows a line chart comparing liveweight cattle prices (£/kg) for Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, the USA and Paraguay.

The USA shows the highest prices throughout, rising from around £3.0/kg to just above £4.00/kg.

Argentina and Uruguay sit in the mid‑range, between £1.50–£2.50/kg, with Uruguay trending upward in 2025.

Paraguay and Brazil track lower at roughly £1.00–£2.00/kg, with Paraguay topping £2.00 in the most recent set of prices. 

Figure 2. Global deadweight cattle prices (£/kg), June 2024–June 2026

Source: AHDB European Commission, INAC, MLA, Consorcoi de Exportadores de Carnes Argentinas, Informe Ganadero Argentina

Figure 2 shows a line chart comparing deadweight cattle prices (£/kg) for the USA, Brazil, Australia, Ireland and GB.

Ireland and GB show the highest prices in 2025, rising above £6.50/kg in the middle of the year before easing slightly.

The USA tracks just below, between roughly £4.50–£6.50/kg, topping the price chart in the most recent months.  Australia remains in the mid‑range around £3.00–£4.50/kg with a gradual rise in 2025. Since April, the price has risen sharply, reaching over £5.00/kg.

Brazil is lowest, fluctuating between £2.00–£3.50/kg. 

Figure 3. Global liveweight cattle prices ($/kg), June 2024–June 2026

Source: AHDB/LAA/IAAS, INAC, USDA, Consorcoi de Exportadores de Carnes Argentinas, Informe Ganadero Argentina

Figure 3 shows a line chart showing liveweight cattle prices in US$/kg for the USA, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.

The USA remains the highest‑priced market throughout, rising from around $4.00/kg to about $5.50/kg.

Uruguay and Argentina sit in the mid‑range between roughly $2.00–$3.50/kg, with Uruguay climbing through 2025, and Argentina overtaking early 2026.

Brazil and Paraguay track lower, mostly between $1.50–$3.00/kg, with modest upward movement over the period.

Figure 4. Global deadweight cattle prices ($/kg), June 2024–June 2026

Source: AHDB European Commission, INAC, MLA, Consorcoi de Exportadores de Carnes Argentinas, Informe Ganadero Argentina

Figure 4 shows a line chart comparing deadweight cattle prices (US$/kg) for the USA, Brazil, Australia, Ireland and GB.

The USA has overtaken Ireland and GB prices, topping $9/kg. Ireland and GB show the highest prices, rising steeply through early 2025 to peaks above $9.00/kg before dropping.

Brazil tracks similarly low levels, rising steadily from around $3.00–$4.50/kg.

Australia has risen substantially from $4.00/kg to over $6.25/kg.

Other influences might be the state of the domestic economy.  Some countries consume large amounts of domestic production and therefore while their exports are influential on the global market domestic developments can have more of an influence on domestic farmgate prices.

Globally, many commodities including beef, are traded in US dollars, and so exchange rates can also play an important role. Revenues and costs may well be in a different currencies, and so the margin between them can vary, sometimes dramatically.

It is also worth keeping in mind that specification variations between countries might mean the major prices quoted in each country may not be immediately directly comparable.