The 2026 factory cattle supply is forecast to remain at a similar level as 2025, which saw supplies drop by 213,000 head on the previous year, according to Bord Bia.

A presentation from Bord Bia's beef sector manager Mark Zieg at the recent Bord Bia Meat Marketing Seminar highlighted that 1.59 million cattle were slaughtered in Ireland in 2025.

This figure is back 213,000 head on the number of cattle slaughtered in 2024.

The forecasted kill for 2026 is expected to be at 1.56-1.6 million head which is similar to the 2025 supply.

The bar chart below details beef kill numbers from 2017 to 2025 and the forecasted beef kill for 2026:

The Bord Bia beef sector manager highlighted that higher levels of live exports have contributed to the decline in cattle supply.

Approximately 351,000 head of cattle were exported from Ireland in 2025, down 7% on 2024 export numbers. Of these cattle exported, 223,500 were calves, an increase of 11% in calf export numbers.

Approximately 10% of all calves born in Ireland in 2025 were exported.

Giving an overview on international beef markets, Ziegs' presentation noted that UK beef production fell 4% in 2025 and non-EU beef import volumes to the UK increased by 31% with Australian beef imports to the UK increasing by 83% in the year to October 2025.

European beef production fell by 5.4% in October 2025 with the beef herd declining by 2.5% and the dairy herd declining by 3.5%.

EU beef imports from Brazil and Argentina increased by 20% and 19% respectively in 2025.

Looking to the global beef market in 2026, Zieg said that both the total EU and total global beef production is set to decrease again in 2026.

He also noted that the high beef prices being achieved in European countries are attracting interest from global beef exporters outside the EU.