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. Liveweight global cattle prices (£/kg), August 2024–August 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 has the highest price throughout the series but has recently seen a decline to just above £3.80/kg in the week ending 14 August.

Argentina and Uruguay sit in the mid‑range. The Uruguay price continues to trend upwards, most recently reaching £2.50/kg. The Argentina price has been in decline since May; it is currently sitting at £2.40/kg.

Paraguay and Brazil track lower in the range. In the latest data the Paraguay price sat at £2.10/kg, with Brazil lower at £1.77/kg.

Figure 2. Deadweight global cattle prices (£/kg), August 2024–August 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.

The USA tracks between £5.30–£6.80/kg, in more recent weeks it has dropped below the GB price but is still ahead of the Irish price.

Australia remains in the mid‑range, in April the price rose sharply reaching over £5.25/kg but this has been easing through August to currently sit at £4.70/kg.

Brazil is lowest, fluctuating between £2.00–£3.30/kg, dropping back in recent months. 

Figure 3. Liveweight global cattle prices ($/kg), August 2024–August 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 $5.70/kg.

Uruguay and Argentina sit in the mid‑range, reaching $3.40/kg and $3.20/kg in August 2026 respectively.

Brazil and Paraguay track lower, with the gap between the two expanding as 2026 continues. There has been a gradual increase in the Paraguay price over the last two years, from $1.70/kg to $3.00/kg.

Figure 4. Deadweight global cattle prices ($/kg), August 2024–August 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 continued to rise above GB and Ireland topping $9.00/kg. GB and Ireland prices have seen a decrease throughout 2026, currently sitting at $7.50/kg and $8.20/kg in August 2026.

Australian prices saw an increase to $7.00/kg in July, the highest it has been throughout the period, but have since fallen away.

Brazil prices have been trending down since April 2026 from $4.90/kg to $4.40/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.