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All articles about Meat markets and prices

News and analysis on beef, lamb and pig market prices. Check deadweight prices and auction markets average prices for prime cattle, cull cows and prime sheep. See where export and retail opportunities exist, stay informed on consumer trends and find out which supermarkets are backing British meat.

Advice and tips

BUSINESS

How demand for ‘regen beef’ is expanding in niche markets

Significant premiums are being paid by some butchers, restaurant chains and retailers for regeneratively farmed beef. The sector remains in its infancy, and what exactly is involved in regenerative practices…

MARKETS AND TRENDS

Farm business outlook 2022: Pig sector must focus on consumer

A radical rethink about the way the British pig sector operates is urgently needed to help reverse the crippling losses that producers now face. For too long, the industry has…

BUSINESS

Review insurance cover in light of high stock values

The increase in livestock values over the past year means many farm businesses run the risk of being underinsured if they suffer theft or other insured loss. Mike Clementson, a…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Rule reminder: Best practice when trading livestock remotely

Farmers who purchase livestock in private trades should find out all they can about the animals before agreeing to a sale to maximise their chance of a refund if they…

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Community

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Mules up on the year to average £178 at Thame Sheep Fair

A stronger trade for breeding ewes defied the weaker lamb market at the recent Thame Sheep Fair, with both average prices and numbers up on the year. More than 18,000…

TAKING STOCK

Thame Mules stand on at £171 despite drought

Breeding ewe prices at Thame Sheep Fair were only marginally down on last year’s record values, despite drought-like conditions in the south-east of England. The annual event, held last week…

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Insights

MARKETS AND TRENDS

What levy boards are doing to boost exports around the world

One of the key results from last year’s AHDB Shape the Future consultation was that levy payers wanted to see an increased focus on improving market access and greater exports…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

More auctioneers needed for thriving livestock markets

Livestock auctioneers are in demand, with markets wanting committed, professional people. Both the Livestock Auctioneers Association (LAA), representing market operators in England and Wales, and Scotland’s Institute of Auctioneers and…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Analysis: What’s the future for the UK pork sector?

Pig prices have begun to recover in 2023 and producers are starting to recoup some of the losses as they return to a more profitable position. Finished pigs are selling…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

British Wagyu: Building a beef brand on taste and texture

British Wagyu is the fastest growing UK beef breed, though from a small base. Wagyu-cross calf registrations rose 30% in the period January to November 2022 compared with the same…

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News

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Beef trade holds strong with support at auction marts

Tighter supplies of prime cattle and some early festive demand reported among industry from butchers and abattoirs have been supporting both liveweight and deadweight prices. Finished cattle prices in the…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

ABP’s takeover of Scotbeef sites cleared by CMA

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has cleared the acquisition by ABP of Scotbeef’s Bridge of Allan abattoir in Stirlingshire and its Queenslie meat packing plant in Glasgow. The decision…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Lamb trade supported by increased exports to EU

UK lamb prices are being strengthened by export trade with less lamb available in Europe. Despite some seasonal declines, farmgate prices remain almost 60p/kg up on year-earlier levels, with lambs…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Rearing calves £40-£50 dearer as confidence grows

A better-looking farming picture means young rearing calves are in greater demand this autumn than last, coaxing higher bids from dealers and growing units. Last autumn’s rising costs and forage…

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Video

OTHER POULTRY

Video: Strong demand but high costs for turkey sector this year

On-farm growers have faced a multitude of challenges this year, of which rising feed costs and access to labour have been the biggest. At the time they were placing orders…

BUSINESS

Video: Wagyu beef market - tradition and change in Japan

The story of Japan’s famed Wagyu beef is a complex and evolving one. We travelled to Japan to find out more about how this premium product is faring in a…

LIVESTOCK

Video: Tough times for sheep farmers at Welshpool market

Last year was tough for sheep farmers and with the potential loss of EU markets and pressure from climate change lobbyists, this year looks set to be no easier. We…

BUSINESS

Video: How the industry is fighting red meat myths

From being accused of being unhealthy to harming the environment, the red meat industry has bad publicity thrown at it from all corners of the media. But there is a…

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