Price inflation in the market for store cattle in the UK has remained mostly above that of the deadweight market since the start of 2025, according to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).
Lead AHDB red meat analyst Hannah Clarke outlined in a recent update on the board’s website that in the week ending July 13, the average annual price inflation for traditional-breed store steers ranging in age from 12-18 months stood at 42%.
In comparison, the overall average deadweight steer price inflation year-on-year stands at 33%.
Clarke said: “This points to the current strength of the store cattle market relative to finished, and the effect that this has on producer margins will be a key watchpoint over the coming months.”
The market for 18–24-month-old stores has seen “some significant movements in the last 18 months”, according to the AHDB.
Average prices paid in this category across all types have been on an upward trajectory since October last year, peaking in the week ending April 6, this year for continental steers at £2,100/head, up £737/head year-on-year. Native-breed steers were £1,956/head – up£720/head year-on-year respectively.
This peak in prices for these older stores was seen in the week of ending May 3, four weeks before the peak in prime finished deadweight prices.
Since prices peaked in early April, the AHDB outlined that average prices paid for 18–24-month-old store animals have eased week-on-week.
As of the week ending July 13, the average prices for 18-24 month old stores are as follows:
- £1,733/head for native steers;
- £1,577/head for native heifers;
- £1,809/head for continental steers;
- £1,688/head for continental heifers;
- £1,470/head for dairy steers.
Commenting on throughput, Clarke noted that reductions in cattle supply have materialised in livestock markets in so far in 2025.
She noted: “In fact, year-to-date cattle, including dairy heifers, aged 12–24-month numbers passing through markets in England and Wales are currently down by 11%, potentially going some way to explaining the price growth we have seen in both live and deadweight sales”.
Dairy steers have seen the largest reduction in throughput, while continental type animals have declined in number across all age categories.
This aligns with trends highlighted in the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) calf-registration data.
Continental-type animals have maintained their price margin over native-type animals.
