Scottish beef booms with supplies set to tighten further

Prime cattle in Scotland continue to break records and trade at unprecedented levels, with the very best selling for more than £3,000/head.

Deadweight steers in Scotland averaged 715p/kg in mid-May, up by £2.20p/kg compared with the same week last year.

Based on a 350kg carcass, that equates to a £770 increase on the year.

See also: Rearing calves selling for £500 plus at auction

Modelling by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) showed prices for R4L steers at Scottish abattoirs were up by 45% on the year, while prime cattle slaughter volumes were back slightly on the year.

Scottish cow prices have been equally strong and were trading at 573.4p/kg during the past week.

QMS market intelligence manager Iain Macdonald said: “Cow prices have seen a stronger-than-usual seasonal uplift in early 2025, staying closer to prime cattle prices than typical for the time of year – highlighting a tight manufacturing beef market.

“Store cattle prices have firmed in line with the finished beef trade, though per-head values stabilised through April’s peak spring selling period.

The store trade at Thainstone Market, near Aberdeen, peaked last week at £2,890 for a 670kg Charolais steer and £2,670 for a Charolais-cross heifer.

Prime cattle also performed well at Thainstone, with several selling for more than £3,000/head.

Auctioneers said an excellent entry of 74 prime cattle saw trade steady throughout, with increased demand for young bulls and handier weights.

Cattle supplies

UK beef and veal production was 3.7% lower overall during the first four months of 2025, at just under 300,000t.

Prime cattle and cow throughputs have been lower year on year in England and Wales, but were actually marginally higher in Scotland.

Mr Macdonald said: “Data from the British Cattle Movement Service in January suggests that Scottish cattle supplies are likely to tighten more significantly in the second half of 2025, as the pool of older cattle is worked through and smaller 2023-24 calf crops feed into the market.

“Short term, slaughter availability may lift in May before easing over the summer.

“Longer term, declining herd numbers in 2024 point to reduced production into 2026 and beyond, raising concern given strong market signals and the growing population in both the UK and globally.”