The meatborsa blog.

Latest industry news and updates from the meatborsa team.

The World's Beef Herds Are Shrinking, but European Prices Have Barely Moved

Published 4 days ago in Market Analysis

The World's Beef Herds Are Shrinking, but European Prices Have Barely Moved

Profile picture of Martina Osmak

Martina Osmak

Director of Marketing

Brazil, the US and China are all holding fewer cattle, yet EU carcass prices were almost flat in week 38 and Irish prime cattle are still about 70c/kg below last year, and our view is that Europe's calm is a lag, not a sign of loose supply.

Britain's Bluetongue Count Is Now Six Times Last Season's Total

Published 5 days ago in Industry Insights

Britain's Bluetongue Count Is Now Six Times Last Season's Total

Profile picture of Martina Osmak

Martina Osmak

Director of Marketing

Britain has confirmed 2,309 bluetongue cases and restricted zones now cover all of England and Wales, and our view is that the pressure falls on live animal trade in the busiest autumn weeks, not on the meat itself.

Bird Flu Came Early in America. Europe's Quiet Summer May Not Last

Bird Flu Came Early in America. Europe's Quiet Summer May Not Last

Published 6 days ago in Industry Insights

Martina Osmak, Director of Marketing

Minnesota confirmed bird flu on 1 September, weeks before the usual October start, while Europe's summer count sat at a seasonal low, and our view is that poultry buyers should plan the autumn as if the season has already begun.

The Summer Bounce in European Pork Is Over

The Summer Bounce in European Pork Is Over

Published 7 days ago in Market Analysis

Martina Osmak, Director of Marketing

German and Dutch pig prices were cut by 15 cents in the same week the EU average fell 1.9%, and our view is that the heat-driven rebound has run out while pig supply is growing again.

Romania's Live Sheep Trade Fell to Zero, and Brussels Just Approved a Restart

Romania's Live Sheep Trade Fell to Zero, and Brussels Just Approved a Restart

Published 8 days ago in Market Analysis

Martina Osmak, Director of Marketing

Romania's live sheep and goat exports collapsed from over a million animals a year to zero after disease outbreaks, and the EU has approved a phased plan to restart trade, but the immediate effect may be more sheep meat staying inside Europe, not less.

Britain Is Killing More Cattle Now, Which Is Why 2027 Looks Tight

Britain Is Killing More Cattle Now, Which Is Why 2027 Looks Tight

Published 11 days ago in Market Analysis

Martina Osmak, Director of Marketing

UK prime cattle slaughter rose 3.1% in August while farm unions warn of falling livestock numbers and a new Scottish beef plant plans for 2029, and our view is that this autumn's extra beef is borrowed from next year's supply.

Croatia's Anchored Prices: Retail Meat Stays Tied to May 2025

Croatia's Anchored Prices: Retail Meat Stays Tied to May 2025

Published 12 days ago in Industry Insights

Martina Osmak, Director of Marketing

From 1 October 2026 Croatia extends its "anchored price" rule to all products and services, and for meat sold in shops the comparison price stays at 2 May 2025, which we think will move price pressure up the supply chain toward meat suppliers.

Bluetongue Reached Irish Sheep, and the Lamb Price Went Up

Bluetongue Reached Irish Sheep, and the Lamb Price Went Up

Published 13 days ago in Industry Insights

Martina Osmak, Director of Marketing

Ireland confirmed its first bluetongue case in a sheep in the same week Irish factories raised lamb prices by 10c/kg, and our view is that the disease is a live-animal and future-supply risk, not a reason to expect cheaper lamb this autumn.

In EU Poultry, the Audit Has Become the Trade Barrier

In EU Poultry, the Audit Has Become the Trade Barrier

Published 14 days ago in Industry Insights

Martina Osmak, Director of Marketing

A European Commission audit found significant and systemic shortcomings in Thailand's poultry export controls, and our view is that audit findings, not tariffs or quotas, are now what decides which poultry actually reaches Europe.

In Finland, Being ASF-Free Is Not Enough to Export

In Finland, Being ASF-Free Is Not Enough to Export

Published 15 days ago in Industry Insights

Martina Osmak, Director of Marketing

Finland's new African swine fever buffer zone is officially free of the disease, yet live pigs inside it still cannot leave the country, and we think that gap is the real lesson for European pork buyers.