The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has warned that Northern Ireland’s beef industry is facing a ‘perfect storm’ as factory prices continue to spiral downwards, imports surge and confidence across the sector rapidly deteriorates.
UFU deputy president Clement Lynch said many farmers now fear prices could soon crash towards the £5/kg mark, just months after record highs finally delivered some hope back into the sector.
“Beef farmers are watching prices collapse in front of their eyes while cattle are backing up on farms for weeks waiting on factory space,” Lynch said.
“Farmers are angry, frustrated and asking who is protecting local food production.
“Only months ago, factories were fighting for cattle. Now farmers are facing delays of up to four weeks to get animals booked in while quotes continue to tumble week after week.”
Beef in NI
The UFU said a sharp rise in imported beef, combined with weakening consumer demand and factories regaining leverage in the market, is creating serious pressure on local producers.
“These warning signs cannot be ignored. Northern Ireland beef farmers are being squeezed from every angle,” Lynch added.
“Retailers, processors and governments all talk about supporting local food production, sustainability and family farming.
“But words mean very little if local farmers are undercut by growing volumes of imported beef produced to very different standards.”
The UFU has said that figures show that imports of beef from countries outside Ireland have risen dramatically.
The union referenced statistics which outlined that imports from New Zealand increased by almost 300% in 2025, while imports from Australia rose by more than 170%.
Brazilian beef imports surged by 137%, with further increases from Uruguay.
“These are not small changes. They are massive shifts in the market, and they should alarm anyone who cares about the future of local food production,” the deputy president said.
“Northern Ireland farmers operate to some of the highest animal welfare, traceability and environmental standards of anywhere in the world.
“Those standards come at a cost. Our farmers cannot continue competing against imported products produced under completely different systems, regulations and cost structures.”
Exports
The UFU warned that Northern Ireland is particularly vulnerable because around 80% of local agricultural output is exported, mainly into the wider UK market.
“If imported beef continues to gain market share, it will inevitably hit local farmgate prices harder and harder,” Lynch stressed.
“We are already seeing prices around 50p/kg lower than they were this time last year.”
The union said that there are growing concern that consumers, under financial pressure, are moving away from beef and towards cheaper proteins.
“That is why retailers must step up and support local beef through meaningful in-store promotions and stronger commitments to Northern Ireland produce,” Lynch said.
“Our beef sector is not just another industry. It supports thousands of family farms, rural jobs and local communities right across Northern Ireland.”
The UFU warned that failure to act could have long-term consequences for the local suckler herd and domestic food security.
“If this continues unchecked, there is a genuine risk that family farms will begin questioning whether beef production has a future,” Lynch added.
“Northern Ireland produces some of the best beef in the world. Farmers deserve fair returns, market confidence and a level playing field, not uncertainty, collapsing prices and being sacrificed in trade deals.”