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.

Over the past month, US steer prices have moved somewhat sideways but at a lower rate than was seen through spring/summer. Underlying inventory remains structurally tight, but near-term trade has reportedly been weighed on by pre-election market volatility and seasonal demand sluggishness.

Australian prices meanwhile see fluctuation but at record-high levels. Heavy rainfall has reportedly sparked confidence and retention which has tightened supply, and intense competition persists for available supply. As the herd enters a rebuild phase, numbers are expected to tighten into 2027/28, but production remains supported by heavier carcase weights.

New Zealand cattle prices continue at elevated levels, boosted by strong export demand. Seasonal increases in cattle supply may point to some softening, but export demand and compeittion from Australia and Brazil into China and the US will also be key price determinants.

Brazilian prices show further growth, supported by limited supply of slaughter-ready animals and consistently firm demand for beef. Brazil's herd is in a retention phase, which is expected to reduce production in 2027.

Figure 1. Deadweight global cattle prices (£/kg), January 2024–October 2026

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

Figure 1 shows a line chart comparing deadweight cattle prices (£/kg) for the USA, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and GB.

Figure 2. Deadweight global cattle prices ($/kg), January 2024–October 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 (US$/kg) for the USA, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and GB.

Figure 3. Liveweight global cattle prices (£/kg), January 2024–October 2026

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

Figure 3 shows a line chart comparing liveweight cattle prices (£/kg) for Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, the USA and Paraguay.

Figure 4. Liveweight global cattle prices ($/kg), January 2024–October 2026

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

Figure 4 shows a line chart showing liveweight cattle prices in US$/kg for the USA, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.

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.