Published in Market Analysis
Meat Prices Ease at Year End, but 2025 Still Higher Overall
Global meat prices fell slightly in December, but overall prices in 2025 were higher than in 2024.
Martina Osmak
Director of Marketing
What is the FAO Meat Price Index?
The FAO Meat Price Index is a number that shows how meat prices change around the world.
It is published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
When the index goes down, meat prices are generally falling. When it goes up, prices are rising.
December 2025: Prices Go Down a Little
In December, the FAO Meat Price Index was 123.6 points.
This was:
Lower than November (down 1.3%)
Still higher than December last year (up 3.4%)
All types of meat became cheaper during the month, but some fell more than others.
Why Did Meat Prices Fall in December?
Beef (Bovine Meat)
Beef prices dropped the most.
In Australia, dry weather forced farmers to sell more cattle.
More cattle for sale meant lower prices worldwide.
Poultry (Chicken and Other Birds)
Poultry prices also fell.
Many countries had large supplies ready to export.
Global demand was not strong enough to absorb all that meat.
Sheep Meat (Ovine Meat)
Sheep meat prices went down slightly.
Seasonal production increased.
Demand stayed strong, but extra supply pushed prices lower.
Pork (Pig Meat)
Pork prices declined a little.
Prices in the European Union weakened.
Global demand for pork was softer than expected.
The Bigger Picture: Meat Prices in 2025
Looking at the whole year, meat prices were higher than in 2024.
The average index for 2025 was 123.2 points
This was 5.1% higher than the year before
Which Meats Went Up or Down in 2025?
Beef and sheep meat prices rose strongly
High global demand
Limited supply from exporters
Pork prices fell
Weaker global demand
Poultry prices slipped slightly
Plenty of supply in the market
Why Prices Were Unstable in 2025
Several factors kept the market uncertain:
Animal disease outbreaks
Political tensions between countries
Trade disruptions
These issues made buyers cautious and sellers unsure.
Important Note About FAO Data
FAO does not receive all meat price data immediately.
Because of this:
Recent monthly numbers are partly estimated
Final figures can change later after revisions
This is normal for the Meat Price Index.
Bottom Line
Meat prices cooled down at the end of the year, giving some relief to buyers.
However, when looking at all of 2025, meat was still more expensive than in 2024, mainly due to strong demand and global uncertainty.
Source: https://www.fao.org/markets-and-trade/commodities-overview/basic-foods/fao-meat-price-index/en