The sheep trade remains strong this week on the back as Easter approaches.
Bord Bia reports that the sheep trade has seen some increased activity in recent days on the back of some rise in demand ahead of Easter.
Its says some uplift in the trade was reported across our key export markets.
Quotes
In recent weeks base quotes for hoggets were generally making between €5.40/kg and €5.50/kg with higher quotes for selected lots and regional variation reported.
Prices as reported to IFA members this week (c/kg including VAT):
Looking at culled ewes, prices were generally making between €2.90/kg and €3.00/kg.
Sheep Kill
Supplies at sheep export meat plants for the week ending March 6 saw some recovery and stood at almost 43,000 head which was up over 8,000 head compared to the corresponding week in 2015.
So far this year, cumulative supplies are up 11% or over 38,000 head compared to the same period last year.
Bord Bia
The latest December livestock survey figures from the CSO have pointed towards some stability in the national flock with a small decline recorded in the breeding flock.
Markets
According to Bord Bia ,in Britain, the market has strengthened on the back of tight supplies. The SQQ live price for lamb in England and Wales was making the equivalent of around €5.42/kg dw during the week.
In France, Bord Bia says some uplift in the trade was reported on the back of increased demand leading up to Easter particularly for legs.
It says supplies of New Zealand legs of lamb are not too plentiful which is leading to a rise in the leg trade for Irish lamb.
However, it says reduced live exports to Libya are leading to higher volumes of Spanish lamb in the south of France. Promotions were centred mainly on domestically produced forequarters. Grade 1 lamb was making €5.93/kg (DW incl VAT) towards the end of the week.
In New Zealand, it was reported that chilled and frozen exports are up 13% so far this season.