By mid-2026, beef production from major global suppliers will fall below the five-year average

Global cattle prices continued to rise in early 2026 and are expected to remain elevated due to reduced beef supply, according to RaboResearch’s “Global Beef Quarterly Q1 2026” report. “Cattle prices in key global regions are rising or remain near record highs as global beef supplies begin to tighten. Given the expected further contraction in 2026, the beef price outlook remains elevated,” said Jen Corkran, senior animal protein analyst at RaboResearch.

The report notes that declining production in the US, New Zealand, and Europe continues to negatively impact overall global beef supply. By mid-2026, experts expect production in the world’s major suppliers to fall below their five-year average. Meanwhile, China is under close scrutiny by analysts, having recently announced the implementation of a three-year import quota system effective January 1, 2026. The protective measures by China, the world’s largest beef importer, are expected to alter global trade flows and increase market volatility.

Tags: Beef cattle