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All articles about Meat markets and prices

News and analysis on beef, lamb and pig market prices. Check deadweight prices and auction markets average prices for prime cattle, cull cows and prime sheep. See where export and retail opportunities exist, stay informed on consumer trends and find out which supermarkets are backing British meat.

Advice and tips

BUSINESS

How demand for ‘regen beef’ is expanding in niche markets

Significant premiums are being paid by some butchers, restaurant chains and retailers for regeneratively farmed beef. The sector remains in its infancy, and what exactly is involved in regenerative practices…

MARKETS AND TRENDS

Farm business outlook 2022: Pig sector must focus on consumer

A radical rethink about the way the British pig sector operates is urgently needed to help reverse the crippling losses that producers now face. For too long, the industry has…

BUSINESS

Review insurance cover in light of high stock values

The increase in livestock values over the past year means many farm businesses run the risk of being underinsured if they suffer theft or other insured loss. Mike Clementson, a…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Rule reminder: Best practice when trading livestock remotely

Farmers who purchase livestock in private trades should find out all they can about the animals before agreeing to a sale to maximise their chance of a refund if they…

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Community

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Mules up on the year to average £178 at Thame Sheep Fair

A stronger trade for breeding ewes defied the weaker lamb market at the recent Thame Sheep Fair, with both average prices and numbers up on the year. More than 18,000…

TAKING STOCK

Thame Mules stand on at £171 despite drought

Breeding ewe prices at Thame Sheep Fair were only marginally down on last year’s record values, despite drought-like conditions in the south-east of England. The annual event, held last week…

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Insights

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Analysis: What’s the future for the UK pork sector?

Pig prices have begun to recover in 2023 and producers are starting to recoup some of the losses as they return to a more profitable position. Finished pigs are selling…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

British Wagyu: Building a beef brand on taste and texture

British Wagyu is the fastest growing UK beef breed, though from a small base. Wagyu-cross calf registrations rose 30% in the period January to November 2022 compared with the same…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Will cultured meat kill off the livestock industry?

Billions of pounds have been ploughed into the development of cultured meat over recent years, with governments, venture capitalists and even climate-conscious celebrities scrambling to cash in. This rush has…

BUSINESS

China ramps up pig production with growth of large farms

For more than 30 years, China has been the largest meat producer in the world and its output continues to grow, with total meat production in 2022 totalling 92.3m tonnes.…

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News

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Beef and lamb markets well supported into the autumn

A warmer start to September and tighter supplies of stock has helped to strengthen prices for both beef and lamb in recent weeks across the UK. Analysts say the improved…

NEWS

New border control regime poses biosecurity risk

Industry figures have warned the government’s new food border control regime poses a biosecurity risk. While the UK was a member of the EU, it relied upon a team of…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Finished pig values dwindle despite tighter UK supply

UK pig prices have started to ease back in recent weeks after reaching record highs in August. The EU-spec standard pig price (SPP) averaged 224.76p/kg deadweight for the week ending…

MEAT MARKETS AND PRICES

Confident Kelso average breaks £1,000 barrier

A record-breaking £1,056 average sire price confirmed cash and confidence was present in commercial sheep farming at the UK’s largest ram sale last Friday 8 September. A summer of national…

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Video

OTHER POULTRY

Video: Strong demand but high costs for turkey sector this year

On-farm growers have faced a multitude of challenges this year, of which rising feed costs and access to labour have been the biggest. At the time they were placing orders…

BUSINESS

Video: Wagyu beef market - tradition and change in Japan

The story of Japan’s famed Wagyu beef is a complex and evolving one. We travelled to Japan to find out more about how this premium product is faring in a…

LIVESTOCK

Video: Tough times for sheep farmers at Welshpool market

Last year was tough for sheep farmers and with the potential loss of EU markets and pressure from climate change lobbyists, this year looks set to be no easier. We…

BUSINESS

Video: How the industry is fighting red meat myths

From being accused of being unhealthy to harming the environment, the red meat industry has bad publicity thrown at it from all corners of the media. But there is a…

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