Weekly cattle and sheep market wrap – 27 March 2026

Deadweight prices cover GB for the week ending 21 March. Liveweight prices cover England and Wales for the week ending 22 March.

• Overall, GB deadweight prime cattle prices fell slightly, with heifers and steers both averaging 634p/kg in the latest reporting week
• Cow prices increased by 8p on the week to stand at 527p/kg, supported by tighter numbers across both the UK and Ireland
• GB deadweight OSL SQQ rose to stand at 838p/kg as we estimated clean sheep slaughter increased by 37,700 head on the week, in anticipation of Easter demand

Cattle

Overall, GB deadweight prime cattle prices saw a slight decline in the week ending 14 March. The average all-prime price reached 633p/kg, falling by just 1p on the week. This price now sits 41p below the same week of last year, as we annualise against a period of steep price climbs.

Within this, the average steer price reached 634p/kg, declining by 2p on the week and standing 43p lower than the same period last year. This is, however, 140p/kg above the five-year average.

The overall heifer price was 634p/kg, increasing by 1p on the week and 39p lower than the same period last year.

Overall, young bulls averaged 613p/kg, up 1p from the previous week and down substantially by 42p compared to a year ago.

The average GB deadweight cow price rose by 8p on the week to stand at 527p/kg, marking a 24p increase compared with last year and standing 159p/kg above the five-year average.

Estimated GB prime cattle slaughter totalled 32,700 head, showing a slight decrease (900 head) against the previous week. Meanwhile, cull cow slaughter numbers fell by 700 head to 8,100 head.

Tight supplies across the UK and Ireland continue to underpin prices. However, prime cattle prices remain relatively flat, despite constrained supply, as consumers increasingly switch to cheaper cuts, providing additional support to the cow market.

Sheep

Meanwhile, the GB deadweight old season lamb (OSL) SQQ rose significantly by 38p in the week ending 21 March, reaching 838p/kg, a price that sits 107p higher than the same week last year.

In the week ending 22 March, the liveweight OSL SQQ for England and Wales (E&W), rose significantly by 15.7p to 413p/kg, which was 68p higher than during the same week in 2025.

Throughputs of finished lambs through the live markets declined by 4% on the week to 61,700 head.

We estimated weekly GB clean sheep slaughter increased, totalling 258,600 head, an increase of around 37,700 head on the week.

Average cull ewe prices remained relatively stable over the week to £155/head, this is £6.60/head higher than a year ago. Prices were supported by demand for Ramadan.

Prices have risen in recent weeks, driven by Easter falling earlier this year and close to Ramadan, which has supported the usual seasonal uplift in demand.

However, reports suggest that Ramadan has drawn down available supplies, requiring increased slaughter to meet anticipated Easter demand.

Prices at the French wholesale market Rungis have strengthened. This is thought to reflect a combination of post Ramadan restocking and increased orders ahead of Easter, leaving supply chains relatively tight and driving short-term demand.

© Livestock Auctioneers Association Limited 2026. All rights reserved.

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