UK beef prices rise as cattle supply tightens - AHDB Retail demand dips while imports rise to fill shortfall21 August 2025 21 August 2025 2 minute read 2 minute read By: By: Global Ag Media EuropeUK beef prices have climbed sharply from farm to retail shelf since 2020, driven by tight cattle supplies and rising production costs, according to a new market update from AHDB. Farmgate prices for prime cattle peaked in May and eased slightly in June, but retail prices continued to rise, narrowing the gap between the two. Retail prices for beef are up 52% since 2020, with recent data showing a consumer shift away from beef towards cheaper proteins like chicken. On the trade front, UK beef imports rose 10% from March to May as processors turned to international markets to offset domestic shortfalls. At the same time, exports fell 9% from January to May as UK beef became more expensive in euro terms, limiting competitiveness in the EU.