The beef trade continues to weaken, with the latest Department of Agriculture official prices showing a further reduction in the average base grades (ABG) for the second-last week of 2025.

The ABG on the bullock category came in at 582.20c/kg for the week ending 19 December 2025. This was down 5.8c/kg on the previous week. Interestingly, last week’s ABG was €1.75/kg ahead of the same week in 2024.

Heifers recorded a 6.2 c/kg decrease to bring the ABG to 765.5c/kg for the same week. This is up €1.60/kg on the same week in 2024.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ranked

Factories are ranked on the average of the reported prices paid for the QPS base grades (ie animals grading R= and R- on conformation and from 2+ to 4= on fat score).

Prices include the 12c/kg or 20c/kg in-spec Quality Assurance bonus paid on eligible animals and/or other bonuses. Prices include VAT at 4.8%. A full breakdown of prices paid for all grades is available each week at www.farmersjournal.ie.

The full factory tables for bullocks, heifers, bulls and cows are listed below: