Beef and lamb market summary 2025

This page provides a snapshot of key information from the beef and lamb markets in 2025.

GB prices

Figure 1. GB prime cattle prices (p/kg deadweight)

Figure 1 shows that GB prime cattle price averaged 647.3 pence per kilogram in 2025, an increase of 30.2% compared with the previous year.

It also shows GB prime cattle prices rising steadily over 2023, 2024 and the first few months of 2025, before easing back in the remainder of the year.

Figure 2. GB cull cow prices (p/kg deadweight)

Figure 2 shows cull cow deadweight price in 2025 was 499.9 pence per kilogram, an increase of 41.0% compared with the previous year.

It also shows GB cull cow prices rising over 2024 and 2025, with the highest price level reached in 2025. Prices show a generally upward trend across the last two years.

Figure 3. GB lamb SQQ* price (p/kg deadweight)

*SQQ: Standard Quality Quotation for lambs 12–21.5 kg deadweight. With effect from w/e 25 November 2023, AHDB introduced a change to deadweight sheep price reporting to help standardise dressing specifications across the survey.

Figure 3 shows GB lamb SQQ deadweight price in 2025 was 710.3 pence per kilogram, an increase of 2.4% compared with the previous year.

It also shows GB lamb SQQ prices for 2023, 2024 and 2025. Prices fluctuate seasonally each year, but they rose to their highest levels in 2024.

Prices quoted are 12-month averages for Jan–Dec 2025. Graphs show weekly prices.

UK slaughterings

UK prime cattle slaughterings in 2025 totalled 2,011,100 head, down 90,600 head on 2024. Cow slaughterings totalled 594,400 head, down 24,400 on the year.

Clean sheep slaughterings in the UK in 2025 stood at 11,496,800 head, up 81,900 head on 2024.

Table 1. UK cattle and sheep slaughterings ('000 head)

Source: Defra, 12-month total ending December

Table 1 shows UK prime cattle slaughterings in 2025 totalled 2,011,100 head, down 90,600 head on 2024. Cow slaughterings totalled 594,400 head, down 24,400 on the year.

Clean sheep slaughterings in the UK in 2025 stood at 11,496,800 head, up 81,900 head on 2024.

UK production

Figure 4. UK production of beef and veal and sheep meat ('000 tonnes) in 2024 and 2025

Source: Defra 12-month total ending December

Figure 4 shows UK beef, veal and sheep meat production in 2024 and 2025. Beef and veal decreased by 3.4%, from 926.3 thousand tonnes in 2024 to 894.5 thousand tonnes in 2025. Sheep meat increased by 2.3%, from 266.1 thousand tonnes in 2024 to 272.3 thousand tonnes in 2025.

UK self-sufficiency

Figure 5. UK beef and veal and sheep meat self-sufficiency 2025 (%)

Source: AHDB. Calculations based on data from Defraand UK HMRC data compiled by Trade Data Monitor LLC

Self-sufficiency = production/consumption (where consumption is production + imports − exports)

Figure 5 shows UK self‑sufficiency in 2025: beef and veal was 80.5%, down 0.2 percentage points from the previous year. Sheep meat self‑sufficiency was 101.2%, an increase of 1.8 percentage points from the previous year.

Global prices

Figure 6. Global steer and lamb prices (p/kg deadweight)

Source: LMC, EU Commission

Prices quoted are 12-month averages for Jan–Dec 2025.

Figure 6 shows global deadweight prices for 2025: Northern Ireland R3 steers averaged 639.4 pence per kilogram, up 31.1% year‑on‑year. Ireland R3 steers averaged 614.0 pence per kilogram, up 40.2% on 2024. French lamb averaged 831.0 pence per kilogram, an increase of 4.2% compared with the previous year.

GB retail sales

Figure 7. GB retail volume sales of lamb and beef ('000 tonnes), spend (£b) and price change, 2025 over 2024

Source: Worldpanel by Numerator UK, 52 w/e 28 Dec 2025, GB household consumption and spend

Figure 7 shows Great Britain retail sales for 2025: lamb total volume was 79.4 thousand tonnes with £0.90 billion spend, and retail prices increased 3.8% on the previous year. Beef total volume was 546.5 thousand tonnes with £5.44 billion spend, and retail prices increased 12.8% on 2024.

UK trade

Figure 8. UK sheep meat, beef and veal exports and imports in 2025 (tonnes)

*Total fresh and frozen

Source: UK HMRC compiled by Trade Data Monitor LLC, 12-month total ending Dec 2025. Further publication of the trade flow information is prohibited unless expressly permitted by Trade Data Monitor LLC

Figure 8 shows UK exports and imports of sheep meat, beef and veal. Sheep meat exports were 86,657 tonnes and imports were 69,941 tonnes. Beef and veal exports were 111,557 tonnes and imports were 241,726 tonnes.

Figure 9. UK sheep meat, beef and veal trade (%) with the EU compared to the rest of the world in 2025

*Total fresh and frozen

Source: UK HMRC compiled by Trade Data Monitor LLC, 12-month total ending Dec 2025. Further publication of the trade flow information is prohibited unless expressly permitted by Trade Data Monitor LLC

Figure 9 shows UK trade with the EU in 2025: for sheep meat, 10% of imports and 95% of exports were with the EU. For beef and veal, 79% of imports and 87% of exports were with the EU.