Finished cattle supplies are plummeting, with the national kill seeing one of the largest drops this year to date last week, falling by over 2,000 head in just seven days.

The weekly kill dropped to 26,957 head and the drop in numbers has had a big effect on cattle quotes being issued by factories.

Bullocks have moved up to €7.20-€7.30/kg, with heifers now at €7.30-€7.35. Bulls are on €7.70/kg, with flat prices for Aberdeen Angus cattle having also kicked on by 10c/kg in the last week. Agents are under huge pressure to get cattle to fill daily requirements.

The tightness in cattle supplies is also starting to impact live exporters’ ability to put loads of cattle together to fill contracts.

The Irish Farmers Journal understands a group of Irish buyers travelled to Brazil last month to put a load together for North Africa. Brazilian live exports reached the second highest monthly figure in history in May 2025, when 111,000 head were exported.

A number of ships, including the Shorthorn Express which has carried Irish cattle to North Africa in the past, are currently en route from Brazil to Morocco with thousands of cattle. Brazilian beef prices are currently at €3.13/kg.

Weanling and store cattle prices in Brazil range from €1.60 to €2.20/kg depending on weight, quality and the region in which they are being purchased. Back home, mart managers say weanling supplies aren’t meeting exporter demand at the moment, with prices increasing on a weekly basis.