Cows Price Trend and Forecast 2026-2027

The United States paid the most for cows in Q3 2026: USD 3.60/KG, up 1.4% from USD 3.55/KG in Q2. A small cattle herd, strong demand for lean beef and high feed and labor costs keep American prices above the other three markets. Worldwide, the average rose 1.1% to USD 2.77/KG from USD 2.74/KG, mostly because higher feed costs, smaller herds and firm demand from beef packers and exporters led ranchers and producers to raise prices in all four markets. What about Q4 2026? We expect a global average somewhere in the USD 2.70-2.92/KG range, with herd size, feed and pasture costs, weather and demand from beef packers and exporters doing most of the work.

Cows here means mature cattle sold for slaughter after years of breeding or milk production, also called cull cows. The meat is lean and is used mostly in ground beef, processing and manufacturing beef. Prices in this report refer to live weight of cull cows at the farm or auction level and are quoted per kilogram. They depend on herd size, feed costs and demand from beef packers.

Cull cow supply depends on herd decisions in the United States, Brazil, Argentina and Australia, where drought or high feed costs push ranchers to sell cows and low costs encourage them to keep cows. Dairy herds add a steady flow of cull cows. The meat is mostly processed into lean trim for ground beef and export, and prices vary with weight, body condition and region.

Cows Price Forecast for 2026

Prices should rise modestly through the rest of 2026. Herds remain small, demand for lean beef trim is strong and feed costs stay firm. Slower herd rebuilding in Brazil and Argentina limits the size of the increase. For reference, the Q3 2026 global average of USD 2.77/KG compares with USD 2.66/KG a year earlier, an increase of 4.1%.

Risks to the Q4 outlook lean in both directions, with no clear bias. What could push prices higher? Smaller herds, higher feed costs or stronger demand for lean beef would lift prices. What could pull them lower? Drought selling, lower feed costs or weaker demand from beef packers would lower prices.

For the Quarter Ending September 2026

Cows Prices Q3 2026:

• Argentina: USD 2.10/KG
• Brazil: USD 2.40/KG
• Australia: USD 3.00/KG
• United States: USD 3.60/KG

Cows Prices in Argentina

Argentina recorded a 1.4% gain in Q3 2026, with the average reaching USD 2.10/KG against USD 2.07/KG in Q2. Argentine prices rose as the demand from meatpackers improved. In Q3 2025 the average was USD 2.00/KG, so the market is 5.0% higher on a yearly basis. Relative to the four-market average of USD 2.77/KG, Argentina traded 24.2% below in Q3 2026.

Why did the price of Cows change in Q3 2026 in Argentina?

Argentina rose. Demand from meatpackers improved, feed costs increased, and ranchers raised prices. Over the first nine months of 2026 the price in Argentina has risen by 4.0%, which compares with a 3.0% gain in the global average. Across the four markets the average was 1.1% higher on the quarter. Argentina moved 1.4% quarter on quarter.

Cows Prices in Brazil

The Q3 2026 average for Brazil stood at USD 2.40/KG, an increase of 1.3% on the USD 2.37/KG recorded in Q2. Brazilian prices rose as the demand from beef exporters improved. This represents a 4.3% increase on the USD 2.30/KG recorded in Q3 2025. This places Brazil 13.4% below the four-market average of USD 2.77/KG for Q3 2026.

Why did the price of Cows change in Q3 2026 in Brazil?

Brazil rose. Demand from beef exporters improved, feed costs increased, and ranchers raised prices. Since the end of 2025, the price in Brazil has risen 3.0%, from USD 2.33/KG to USD 2.40/KG, while the global average has risen 3.0%. On the global measure the average was 1.1% higher over the quarter. The quarterly change in Brazil was 1.3%.

Cows Prices in Australia

Australia registered a 1.4% increase in Q3 2026, taking the average to USD 3.00/KG from USD 2.96/KG in Q2. Australian prices rose as the demand from processors improved. The year-on-year change is a 3.8% increase, from USD 2.89/KG in Q3 2025. Against the four-market average of USD 2.77/KG, Australia stood 8.3% above in the quarter.

Why did the price of Cows change in Q3 2026 in Australia?

Australia rose. Demand from processors improved, feed costs increased, and producers raised prices. The cumulative 2026 change for Australia is a 2.7% increase, from USD 2.92/KG to USD 3.00/KG, while the global average shows a 3.0% gain over the same period. For comparison, the global average moved 1.1% higher over the same quarter.

Cows Prices in United States

The United States climbed 1.4% to USD 3.60/KG in Q3 2026, from USD 3.55/KG in Q2. American prices rose as the demand from beef packers improved. The Q3 2026 average is 5.0% above the USD 3.43/KG recorded in Q3 2025. The United States finished Q3 2026 30.0% above the four-market average of USD 2.77/KG.

Why did the price of Cows change in Q3 2026 in United States?

The United States rose. Demand from beef packers improved, feed costs increased, and ranchers raised prices. At USD 3.60/KG, the United States is 3.4% higher than in Q4 2025, when the average was USD 3.48/KG, and the global average is 3.0% higher over the same period. The global average shifted 1.1% higher in the same quarter.

For the Quarter Ending June 2026

Cows Prices Q2 2026:

• Argentina: USD 2.07/KG
• Brazil: USD 2.37/KG
• Australia: USD 2.96/KG
• United States: USD 3.55/KG

Cows Prices in Argentina

Argentina climbed 1.5% to USD 2.07/KG in Q2 2026, from USD 2.04/KG in Q1. Argentine prices rose as the demand from meatpackers strengthened. Against the USD 1.95/KG recorded in Q2 2025, the current average represents a 6.2% increase. Argentina ended the quarter 24.5% below the group average of USD 2.74/KG.

Why did the price of Cows change in Q2 2026 in Argentina?

Argentina rose. Demand from meatpackers strengthened, feed costs went up, and ranchers lifted prices. Q1 had brought a 1.0% gain, and by the end of Q2 the price was 6.2% above the Q2 2025 average of USD 1.95/KG. The move then extended in Q3, taking the price to USD 2.10/KG. The global average shifted 1.1% higher in the same quarter.

Cows Prices in Brazil

In Q2 2026, the average price in Brazil rose 0.9% to USD 2.37/KG, compared with USD 2.35/KG in Q1. Brazilian prices rose as the demand from beef exporters strengthened. The Q2 2025 average of USD 2.26/KG puts the current price 4.9% above its level a year earlier. The price in Brazil was 13.5% below the group average of USD 2.74/KG in Q2 2026.

Why did the price of Cows change in Q2 2026 in Brazil?

Brazil rose. Demand from beef exporters strengthened, pasture costs went up, and ranchers lifted prices. Coming after a 0.9% gain in Q1, the Q2 figure sits 4.9% above the USD 2.26/KG of Q2 2025. The same direction continued in Q3, with the price reaching USD 2.40/KG. Across the four markets the average was 1.1% higher on the quarter.

Cows Prices in Australia

Australia's average moved up 0.7% in Q2 2026, to USD 2.96/KG from USD 2.94/KG in Q1. Australian prices rose as the demand from processors strengthened. Year on year, the average is 4.2% higher, against USD 2.84/KG in Q2 2025. The gap to the four-market average of USD 2.74/KG was 8.0% above for Australia.

Why did the price of Cows change in Q2 2026 in Australia?

Australia rose. Demand from processors strengthened, transport costs went up, and producers lifted prices. The 0.7% gain in Q1 set the base, and Q2 finished 4.2% above the USD 2.84/KG recorded a year earlier. Q3 added to the change, with the price at USD 3.00/KG. On the global measure the average was 1.1% higher over the quarter.

Cows Prices in United States

Prices in the United States firmed 1.1% in Q2 2026 to USD 3.55/KG, compared with USD 3.51/KG in Q1. American prices rose as the demand from beef packers strengthened. The current level is 6.0% above the Q2 2025 average of USD 3.35/KG. Relative to the four-market average of USD 2.74/KG, the United States traded 29.6% above in Q2 2026.

Why did the price of Cows change in Q2 2026 in United States?

The United States rose. Demand from beef packers strengthened, labor costs went up, and ranchers lifted prices. This followed a 0.9% gain in Q1 and left the United States 6.0% above its Q2 2025 average of USD 3.35/KG. The move then extended in Q3, taking the price to USD 3.60/KG. For comparison, the global average moved 1.1% higher over the same quarter.

Quarterly Cows Price Trends

Cow prices rose through 2025 and the first half of 2026 and rose again in the third quarter in all four markets. The global average moved from USD 2.56/KG in Q1 2025 to 2.60 in Q2, 2.66 in Q3 and 2.69 in Q4, then 2.71 in Q1 2026, 2.74 in Q2 and 2.77 in Q3, a net gain of roughly 8.2% across the window. Smaller herds and steady demand from beef packers lifted prices for six quarters.

What was Cows Price in 2025?

2025 was a year of steady increases for cows, with prices rising in each quarter in all four markets. Starting near USD 2.56/KG in Q1, the global average finished the year at 2.69 in Q4, a gain of about 5.1%. Smaller herds and steady demand from beef packers supported ranchers throughout the year.

Cows Prices in Argentina in 2025

In Argentina, prices moved from about USD 1.91/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 2.02/KG by Q4, up roughly 5.8%. Argentine prices rose steadily as feed costs and demand from meatpackers increased. By Q3 2026 the average for Argentina had reached USD 2.10/KG, 4.0% above the Q4 2025 close. The same regional pattern is carried into the quarterly analysis above, where the quarter-by-quarter figures can be traced.

Cows Prices in Brazil in 2025

In Brazil, prices moved from about USD 2.22/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 2.33/KG by Q4, up roughly 5.0%. Brazilian prices rose gradually as pasture costs and demand from beef exporters increased. The latest quarter places Brazil at USD 2.40/KG, which is 3.0% above the level at which 2025 ended. The quarterly sections above show how the annual average developed over the year.

Cows Prices in Australia in 2025

In Australia, prices moved from about USD 2.81/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 2.92/KG by Q4, up roughly 3.9%. Australian prices rose gradually as transport costs and demand from processors increased. Since the 2025 close of USD 2.92/KG, the price in Australia has moved up 2.7%, reaching USD 3.00/KG in Q3 2026.

Cows Prices in United States in 2025

In the United States, prices moved from about USD 3.28/KG in Q1 2025 to USD 3.48/KG by Q4, up roughly 6.1%. American prices rose steadily as the labor costs and demand from beef packers increased. At USD 3.60/KG in Q3 2026, the United States stands 3.4% above its Q4 2025 close. The same regional pattern is carried into the quarterly analysis above, where the quarter-by-quarter figures can be traced.

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We keep a continuous eye on cows prices wherever it is produced or consumed at scale, tracing causation through herd size, feed and pasture costs, weather, body condition and demand from beef packers. Our forecasts draw on production data, trade flows, input cost trends and demand indicators across all reporting regions, so subscribers see why a price moved and not just that it did. Need pricing data, bespoke market analysis, or procurement advisory? Reach out to our team.