Weekly cattle and sheep market wrap

Prices for week ending 29 March

Key points

• The GB all prime average cattle price increased by 5p/kg to stand at 679p/kg, breaking a three week run of increases of over 10p/kg
• Estimated prime cattle slaughter fell 7% on the week, indicating tightening supply
• The GB OSL SQQ lamb price was back 3p/kg on the week, highlighting this year’s difference in market dynamics

Cattle

After three consecutive weeks of price rises of over 10p/kg, in the week ending 29 March, the all prime average deadweight cattle price rose by 5p/kg to stand at 679p/kg. Although this may seem like a slowing in trade, the all-prime average remains 191p/kg above the same week last year, and 253p/kg above the five-year average.

Furthermore, animals in specification saw greater price rises than the overall prime average. Steers achieving R4L classification averaged at 692p/kg up 6p/kg on the week. Heifers achieving this grade averaged 691p/kg up 7p/kg from last week, while R3 young bulls increased in price by 11p/kg to 679p/kg.

GB estimated prime slaughterings fell 7% on the week to 31,600 head and are trending slightly below the five-year average by approximately 1,000 head. We have seen numbers coming back in line with year ago levels in recent weeks, following higher supplies at the beginning of the year. This may be indicative of reducing cattle inventories, as seen in BCMS cattle populations data, and will be an important watchpoint in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, cull cow estimated slaughter was up slightly week-on-week to total 8,000 head. Cow prices have stabilised on the week, standing-on at 503p/kg on average.

Sheep

Following broadly sideways price movement at the start of the year, the lamb price was back for the second consecutive week, with the GB deadweight OSL SQQ falling 3p/kg on the week to 728p/kg. This was 89p/kg lower year-on-year, compared to the peaks of 2024.

Clean sheep slaughter rose by 600 head on the week to 236,300 head. This is up 29% from the same week last year which suggests that we are continuing to see the higher lamb carryover from 2024. However, it is important to note that this week last year included Good Friday, which would have reduced the weekly slaughter with one fewer kill day in abattoirs.

We are now nearing another key demand period for lamb with Easter Sunday on the 20th April, which could support prices as consumer demand increases. However, as detailed in the 2025 lamb outlook, it is anticipated that demand could remain more muted compared to last year due to the time between Ramadan and Easter and persistent economic uncertainty.

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