Weekly cattle and sheep market wrap – 23 April 2026

Deadweight prices cover GB for the week ending 18 April. Liveweight prices cover England and Wales for the week ending 19 April.

• Prime cattle prices slipped in the latest week, with the all prime average back 4p to sit at 630p/kg as numbers recovered following the bank holiday.
• Cow prices also moved backwards with the deadweight average down 5p to 525p/kg in the week ending 18 April.
• Sheep prices began to ease, following a period of strong seasonal and export demand with the deadweight OSL SQQ back 4p on the week to 843p/kg. This remains historically high.

GB deadweight prime cattle prices have slipped in the latest reporting week, with the all prime average measure down 4p on the week to 630p/kg in the week ending 18 April.

Easing prices were consistent across all three prime categories, with the overall average steer and heifer prices both falling by 4p on the week to land at 631p/kg. The average young bull price experienced a slightly smaller fall, back by 2p to 614p/kg.

Estimated slaughter of prime cattle grew on the week to total 34,100 head, with a return to normal kill schedules following the bank holidays.

We also saw a fall in the cow price, following a period of relative stability. The overall average cow price was 525p/kg in the week ending 18 April, back 5p on the week prior.

Cow estimated kill totalled 7,900 head, remaining below average levels for this time of year.

Consumers continue to react to higher prices at the shelf edge by reducing volumes, with the latest 12 week data showing average price rises of 16.4% in the beef category, resulting in volume declines of 6.5% (Worldpanel by Numerator UK, 12 w/e 22 March 2026). This will likely be contributing to pressure on prices at the farmgate.

Lamb prices also eased in the week ending 18 April, with the GB deadweight old season lamb (OSL) SQQ back 4p on the week to sit at 843p/kg. This remains very high, however, sitting nearly 140p/kg above the 5-year average for this time of year.

Movements were mirrored in the live ring, with the liveweight OSL SQQ also down 4p/kg to sit at 409p/kg in the week ending 19 April. Cull ewe prices fell more strongly, back £12 to average £163/head in the latest week.

Estimated clean sheep kill totalled 189,000 head, up just 2,000 head on the week prior. Numbers have eased as we move past the key seasonal demand period for sheep meat and supplies of old season lamb taper.

© Livestock Auctioneers Association Limited 2026. All rights reserved.

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.