Latest indicators suggest that the deadweight prime cattle price in Great Britain (GB) has fallen slightly in 2026 compared to corresponding prices for 2025.
According to the Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board (AHDB), overall, GB deadweight prime cattle prices fell slightly, with heifers and steers both averaging 634p/kg for the week ending March 21.
Analysis shows that overall the average all-prime price reached 633p/kg in the week ending March 14. That price was 41p below the same week in 2025.
Meanwhile overall, heifer price in the same week was 634p/kg, which was 39p lower than the same period last year.
When it came to young bulls the average price 613p/kg was substantially down by 42p compared to a year ago.
Looking at the average GB deadweight cow price stood at 527p/kg, in the week ending March 14, which marked a 24p increase compared with last year and standing 159p/kg above the five-year average.
GB slaughter numbers
But in relation to GB estimated slaughter numbers, AHDB totalled 32,700 head in the week ending March 14, which showed a slight decrease against the previous week by 900 head.
Cull cow slaughter numbers in this timeframe also fell by 700 head to 8,100 head.
“Tight supplies across the UK and Ireland continue to underpin prices.
“However, prime cattle prices remain relatively flat, despite constrained supply, as consumers increasingly switch to cheaper cuts, providing additional support to the cow market,” AHDB said.
Meanwhile according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), latest UK prime cattle (steers, heifers and young bulls) slaughtering figures for February 2026 were down 1.8% on February 2025 at 162,000 head.
