Weekly cattle and sheep market wrap – 31 July 2026

Deadweight prices cover Great Britain (GB) for the week ending 25 July. Liveweight prices cover England & Wales (E&W) for the week ending 26 July.

• Prime cattle prices inched up again in the latest week’s data as numbers remain below year ago levels.
• Cow prices stayed flat on the week, with numbers to slaughter growing in the most recent week.
• Movements in lamb price were mixed with the deadweight NSL SQQ up 3p on the week, whilst prices eased in the live markets.

Prime cattle prices continued to grow across all categories in the week ending 25 July, with the all-prime average measure up just over 3p on the week to land at 605p/kg.

The overall average steer price saw the greatest week on week growth, up 4p to 607p/kg. Meanwhile the overall heifer measure lifted by nearly 2p on the week to 606p/kg and young bulls gained nearly 4p to average 597p/kg.

Estimated GB prime cattle slaughter fell away slightly, down 900 head on the week prior to total 29,800 head. For the year to date, slaughter is sitting 1% behind 2025 levels with lower numbers through June a key contributor.

The average cow price, on the other hand, remained steady, with the latest week’s measure at 493p/kg. Cow numbers to slaughter grew by 1,100 head on last week to total 9,000 head.

The latest retail data, covering the 12-week period to the 12 July, showed a slowing of volume decline in beef purchases with volumes down only 0.9% on the same period of last year. Looking into the breakdown by cuts, we saw volume growth in steaks and burgers, likely driven by increased barbequing with the hot weather.

Deadweight sheep prices have now grown for the second week, following their usual seasonal downturn through June. The deadweight NSL SQQ sat at 809p/kg in the week ending 25 July, up almost 3p on the week prior.

In the live markets, prices fell away for the second week in a row, with the liveweight NSL SQQ back 17p on the week to land at 366p/kg. Cull ewe prices also lost ground, back nearly £7 to £145/head.

Estimated slaughter of clean sheep totalled 172,000 head in the week ending 25 July, up 16,000 head on the week prior, yet remaining below year ago levels. The recent heatwaves and lack of rain is likely influencing pasture conditions and delaying lamb finishing.

Domestic demand for lamb appears relatively resilient to price rises, with the latest retail data for the 12 weeks ending 12 July showing only a 1.4% decline in volumes purchased, despite average prices rising by over 7% year-on-year. Volume declines were driven by roasting cuts, with growth in steaks, sous vide and mince.

You can subscribe to receive beef and lamb market news straight to your inbox. Simply fill in your contact details on our online form.

While AHDB seeks to ensure that the information contained on this webpage is accurate at the time of publication, no warranty is given in respect of the information and data provided. You are responsible for how you use the information. To the maximum extent permitted by law, AHDB accepts no liability for loss, damage or injury howsoever caused or suffered (including that caused by negligence) directly or indirectly in relation to the information or data provided in this publication.

All intellectual property rights in the information and data on this webpage belong to or are licensed by AHDB. You are authorised to use such information for your internal business purposes only and you must not provide this information to any other third parties, including further publication of the information, or for commercial gain in any way whatsoever without the prior written permission of AHDB for each third party disclosure, publication or commercial arrangement. For more information, please see our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice or contact the Director of Corporate Affairs at info@ahdb.org.uk  © Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board. All rights reserved.