Weekly cattle and sheep market wrap – 13 February 2025

Prices for week ending 8 February.

• GB deadweight cattle prices have all risen by over 13p/kg for the fourth consecutive week as the overall all-prime price increased by 15p.
• The GB OSL SQQ bounced back to 729p/kg in the week ending 8 February having fallen to 710p/kg in the previous week.
• The 2025 market outlook for beef expects demand to remain strong, with supply predicted to fall 5% year-on-year following higher kill in 2024.
• The lamb outlook forecasts higher carryover, likely to support supply in the first half of the year, with consumer demand easing.

GB deadweight cattle prices grew yet again in the week ending 8 February. The average all-prime price reached 620p/kg an increase of 15p on last week and 125p on the same week last year.

R4L steer prices grew 13p/kg, to average 631p/kg across GB, whilst R4L heifers grew by 14p/kg to reach 629p/kg and have now seen 4 consecutive weeks of price rises over 13p/kg. The overall young bull price rose by a substantial 22p/kg meaning the price has tipped over the 600p mark at 601p/kg. All categories are now around 125p higher year-on-year.

Cow prices saw similar increases again, as the overall GB price reached 458p/kg, an increase of 19p on last week and a 113p rise on the same week last year.

AHDB estimated slaughter showed a slight increase in prime kill on last week, up 300 head to total 34,700. This represents a 4% increase year-on-year. Cull cow estimated slaughter eased slightly for the second week running, down 400 head to sit at 10,200.

Demand for available supplies continues to support prices. However, a key watch point moving forward will be the differential between GB and Irish cattle prices, which sat at 125p for R3 steers this week. This may incentivise greater movement of Irish product into GB, if supplies allow.

Our latest beef market outlook states that beef production is expected to decrease by 5% in 2025, whilst consumer demand remains steady. Further details on our expectations for production, trade and consumption in the year ahead can be found in the report.

Deadweight sheep prices recovered for the week ending 8 February compared to the previous week’s slight fall, with the GB OSL SQQ up 19p to reach 729p/kg. As was the case last week, this is 67p higher than the same week last year.

AHDB estimated slaughter figures also bounced back from last week, up 5,400 head to reach 191,000 head. Although this is still significantly lower than the same week last year, down 10,900 head.

Market reports suggest strong demand for heavier sheep although supply was constrained and suggest that an overall tighter national supply could support prices in the coming weeks.

The 2025 lamb outlook predicts a higher carryover of lambs in 2025, which will be a key watchpoint to support supply in the coming weeks. Yet, the 2025/26 lamb crop is predicted to fall by 2% primarily driven by a decline in breeding flock numbers. Demand for lamb is expected to be supported by key religious festivals, but a fall in lamb retail promotions could ease price pressures.

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