The lamb trade was much stronger this week, according to the IFA with quotes up over 20c/kg on last week.
In its latest lamb price update the IFA says factories were paying up to €5.80/kg to get supplies this week.
Bord Bia also says the sheep trade has shown some upward movement recently on the back of good demand coupled with tight supplies.
However, while it does say that trade was relatively strong in the UK, trade on the continent has eased somewhat.
Supplies at sheep export meat plants for the week ending February 14 stood at almost 40,000 head which was over 1,000 head lower than the corresponding week in 2014.
Cumulative supplies for the year to date are currently 5% behind year previous levels.
In Britain, the trade has also edged upwards recently on the back of strong domestic and export demand. The SQQ live price for lambs in England and Wales was making the equivalent of around €5.91/kg dw towards the end of the week.
In France, Bord Bia says the trade remains slow on the back of reduced demand. The price for Grade 1 Irish lamb was making €5.72/kg (DW incl VAT) in the early part of the week. Promotions are taking place mainly on forequarter cuts.