ANALYSIS: UK Beef Market Update-December 2024

UK beef prices continued to trend upwards as cattle prices continued to rise in December 2024. The UK cattle deadweight price reached GBP 5.43/kg, up 4.3% month-on-month (m-o-m) and year-on-year (y-o-y) in early December 2024. Some market reports indicate strong festive demand, which is expected to help sustain prices through the winter months.

UK beef production in 2024 is projected to reach 933,000 tonnes, representing a 4% increase compared to 2023. This growth is primarily driven by a rise in prime...

ANALYSIS: UK Beef Fillet and Sirloin Prices Firm as Cattle Tightens

The fillets and sirloin markets continue to experience upwards pricing pressure since the beginning of the year. The largest contributing factor is thin inventories due to a tight cattle supply.

While foodservice suffered a lacklustre start of year as the ongoing cost of living pressures discourage consumers from dining out, demand from the retail sector remains strong.

Markets for PGI & UTM sirloins have been moving higher over the last four weeks. UTM whole striploins are seeing some trades at values as...

Analysis: A Closer look at UK Beef Production, Consumption and Prices

The volume of beef produced in the UK in 2023 was 817 000 MT, 2.5% down from the previous year. This was on the back of a 1.3% decline in prime slaughter numbers. Cows also dropped by 2.5% and totalled 612 000 heads.

Market participants have cited that adverse wet weather conditions caused flooding and wider disruption during the month of December may have had an impact on throughputs. On the other hand, domestic consumption data from the USDA shows that UK beef consumption in 2023...