The UK livestock markets play a crucial role in supporting rural economies and meat supply chains. These markets not only facilitate livestock trade but also foster agricultural traditions, bringing together buyers, farmers, and agents.
Below are the top 5 livestock markets in the UK known for their high sales volumes, livestock quality, and regional economic influence.
Whether you're a farmer, breeder, finisher, or exporter, you can count on JCS Livestock for reliable, professional livestock hauling services. Get in touch!
1. Thainstone Livestock Market – Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Location: Thainstone Agricultural Centre, Inverurie, AB51 5XZ, Scotland
Market Days: Thursdays (prime cattle and sheep), Fridays (store cattle and breeding stock), seasonal pedigree and special sales
Thainstone, operated by Aberdeen & Northern Marts (ANM), is Scotland’s largest livestock market, handling over 110,000 cattle and 300,000 sheep annually. Weekly sales of 1,500–2,000 cattle and 5,000–10,000 sheep generate turnovers of approximately £1.5–£2 million.
Its state-of-the-art facilities, including three sale rings, covered pens for 3,000 cattle or 14,000 sheep, and robust biosecurity, attract buyers from across the UK.
Specialising in high-quality breeds like Aberdeen Angus, Simmental, and Charolais, Thainstone serves breeders, finishers, and processors.
Its strategic location in Aberdeenshire, with excellent road links to northern Scotland, Orkney, and Shetland, positions it as a vital hub for regional and national livestock trade.
By supplying high-quality beef cattle and lambs to processors and retailers, Thainstone plays a vital role in meeting the UK’s demand for beef and lamb, supporting the nation’s meat supply chain with consistent volumes of top-grade livestock.
2. Hereford Livestock Market – Herefordshire, England
Location: Roman Road, Hereford, HR4 7AN, England
Market Days: Wednesdays (cull cows and prime cattle), Thursdays (store cattle)
Hereford, run by Hereford Market Auctioneers Ltd, is a cornerstone of England’s livestock trade, with weekly entries of 500 prime cattle, 800 store cattle, and 5,000–10,000 sheep, yielding turnover of £750,000 (cattle) and £500,000 (sheep).
Its 2011-built facilities at Roman Road feature covered rings, lairage, and veterinary services, drawing farmers from Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, and Shropshire. Renowned for Limousin, Charolais, Hereford, and Angus breeds, it attracts finishers and butchers nationwide.
3. Carlisle Livestock Market (Borderway Mart) – Cumbria, England
Location: Rosehill Industrial Estate, Carlisle, CA1 2RS, England
Market Days: Mondays (prime cattle and sheep), Wednesdays (store cattle), frequent pedigree and breeding sales
Carlisle’s Borderway Mart, operated by Harrison & Hetherington, is the UK’s largest livestock market, handling over 100,000 cattle and 500,000 sheep annually. Weekly sales of 1,000+ cattle (prime and store) and 10,000+ sheep generate turnover exceeding £1 million.
Its modern facilities, including extensive pens, covered rings, and on-site veterinary services, attract buyers nationwide.
Renowned for breeds like Limousin, British Blue, and Angus, alongside prolific sheep sales, Carlisle livestock market supports farmers from Cumbria to Scotland, cementing its status as a national powerhouse.
4. Ballymena Livestock Market – County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Location: Woodside Road, Ballymena, BT42 4QJ, Northern Ireland
Market Days: Mondays (prime cattle), Tuesdays (weanlings and calves), Fridays (store cattle and suckler cows)
Ballymena leads Northern Ireland’s livestock trade, handling over 1,000 cattle weekly and significant sheep volumes. Managed by JA McClelland & Sons, it boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure, rigorous welfare standards, and competitive bidding, with turnover of £500,000–£1.5 million weekly.
Specialising in suckler-bred and dairy-cross cattle, it serves exporters, wholesalers, and feeders. Its strategic location near ports facilitates trade to the Republic of Ireland (ROI) and UK mainland, making it a global commerce hub.
From farm to market, JCS Livestock delivers reliable and professional livestock transport services throughout the UK.
5. Lanark Livestock Market (Lawrie & Symington) – South Lanarkshire, Scotland
Location: Hyndford Road, Lanark, ML11 9AX, Scotland
Market Days: Tuesdays (prime and store cattle), Thursdays (prime sheep), frequent pedigree sales
Lanark, operated by Lawrie & Symington, is Scotland’s leading livestock market, handling 500–800 cattle and 10,000–15,000 sheep weekly, with turnover of £500,000–£1 million. Its pedigree cattle sales and prolific sheep auctions draw buyers from across Scotland and northern England.
Featuring breeds like Simmental, Limousin, and Aberdeen Angus, Lanark’s modern facilities and strong buyer base make it a vital hub for Scottish livestock trade.
What Makes The Top 5 UK Livestock Markets Stand Out?
These top 5 UK livestock markets are cornerstones of the UK’s livestock economy, distinguished by shared strengths:
- Strategic Locations: Exceptional connectivity, from Thainstone’s road links to northern Scotland to Ballymena’s proximity to export ports.
- Modern Facilities: DEFRA-compliant infrastructure, including covered sale rings and advanced biosecurity, ensures high welfare standards.
- Breed Diversity: Premium stock, such as Aberdeen Angus, Simmental, and Texel sheep, caters to varied buyer needs.
- Robust Buyer Bases: Competitive bidding from exporters, processors, and finishers fuels dynamic markets.
- Consistent Schedules: Regular sales, like Thainstone’s Thursday auctions or Carlisle’s Monday markets, support reliable trade.
Beyond their commercial role, these markets serve as vital community hubs, merging agricultural heritage with modern innovation to bolster UK livestock farming.
Livestock Transport Service: Partnering with JCS Livestock
The success of premier markets like Thainstone, Hereford, Carlisle, Ballymena, and Lanark relies on delivering livestock to auction rings punctually and in optimal condition. Whether it’s prime cattle for Thainstone’s Thursday sales, store cattle for Hereford’s Thursday auctions, or sheep for Lanark’s Thursday markets, dependable transport is essential.
JCS Livestock, a division of James Cargo Services Ltd, excels with over 20 years of experience, providing customised, welfare-focused livestock transport solutions for farmers, traders, and breeders.
Navigating tight schedules, such as Carlisle’s Monday sales or Ballymena’s Friday auctions, requires precision. JCS’s temperature-controlled, DEFRA-approved vehicles and satellite-tracked trailers adhere to UK and EU welfare regulations (e.g., Council Regulation EC 1/2005).
Trained handlers and a global network manage everything from local hauls for Hereford’s farmers to complex logistics for Ballymena’s traders.
Why Choose JCS Livestock Transport?
- Uncompromising Welfare Standards: DEFRA and IATA LAR-compliant vehicles meet stringent biosecurity requirements, such as those at Thainstone.
- Market-Timed Precision: Deliveries align with schedules, Thursdays for Thainstone, Wednesdays for Hereford, Mondays for Carlisle for seamless operations.
- Global and Local Reach: From UK market runs to international exports, JCS handles documentation effortlessly.
- Proven Expertise: Trusted for high-profile moves, including exotic animals, JCS guarantees reliability for cattle and sheep.
Avoid transport obstacles that could impact your success. Whether you’re a farmer sending cattle to Lanark, a trader exporting from Ballymena, or a transporter partnering for Thainstone, JCS Livestock Transport delivers exceptional service.
Request a quote today, call +44 (0)1753 682 574, email enq@jcslivestock.com, or visit jcslivestock.com.
Conclusion
Thainstone, Hereford, Carlisle, Ballymena, and Lanark, the top five livestock markets, are central to the UK’s livestock industry, driving trade across Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland with modern, high-volume operations rooted in tradition.
Supported by expert logistics from JCS Livestock Transport, farmers, traders, and transporters ensure livestock arrive in prime condition, sustaining the industry’s growth. For breeders, finishers, or exporters, these markets, paired with reliable transport, offer unparalleled access to the UK’s highest-quality beef and lamb.
Suggested topics for you: