2792. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason beef prices are reported to be approximately €1.10 per kilogram lower than at the same period last year; the factors contributing to this decline; the engagement his Department has had with meat processors and manufacturers regarding cattle prices; whether he is concerned that the reduction in beef prices, coupled with increased production costs, is placing significant financial pressure on beef farmers; the measures he plans to take to support farm incomes and ensure a fair return for primary producers; and if he will make a statement on the matter [63575/26]

I am acutely aware of the volatile nature of farm income. One of the most effective tools in addressing that volatility is the certainty provided to primary producers by payments from both national and EU co-funded supports.

With regard to the financial pressures currently facing beef farmers, I have allocated over €83m in direct targeted supports for the suckler sector in 2026. These consist of the ongoing Suckler Carbon Efficiency Programme worth over €51m annually to participants, the National Dairy Beef Weighing Scheme with a budget of €4m and the 2026 Beef Welfare Scheme, which has a budget of €28m and will remain open for applications until 17.00 hours on 23 September.

As Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, I have no role in determining market prices at any stage of the beef supply chain. Cattle prices are a commercial matter for negotiation between purchasers and suppliers in the marketplace.

However, I am in regular contact with all the principal beef stakeholders and fully understand the importance of price transparency in the supply chain. I have, therefore, provided more powers to the Agri-Food Regulator, which was established as an independent statutory agency to promote fairness and transparency in the agri-food supply chain. These enhanced powers, which will come into force on 31 December 2026, will compel the provision of price and market information by agri-food businesses and ensure additional transparency for supply chain actors.

My Department and Bord Bia constantly monitor market conditions in the beef sector, including trade, commodity prices and input costs. Given that approximately 90% of Irish beef output is exported, global – rather than domestic - prices primarily determine farmgate prices for Irish cattle.

Although 2025 was an exceptional year with the highest average cattle prices ever recorded, the 2026 data shows that the current year-to-date average deadweight price for the benchmark R3 steer grade is €6.74 per kg (excl. VAT), which is 5% lower than the prevailing average for the same period in 2025. According to Bord Bia, the benchmark price paid for prime cattle in our main export markets has also trended downwards since the start of the year.