Sheep trade: ‘As you were’ for base quotes

‘It’s ‘as you were’ in terms of quotes for hoggets, with factories holding firm, as base quotes, like last week, continue to range from €5.80/kg up to €6.00/kg.

There continues to be strong demand from factories for numbers, with prices for factory hoggets edging upwards on last week at sales held yesterday.

Looking at the prices on offer, out in front with a base price of €6.00/kg + a 10c/kg quality assured (QA) bonus is Kildare Chilling. Irish Country Meats (ICM) is quoting €5.80/kg plus a 10c/kg QA bonus for hoggets.

AgriLand understands that Kepak Athleague is not killing today (Tuesday, February 2) and, therefore, was not quoting.

Looking at the top end of the market, top deals of between €6.20/kg up to €6.30/kg continue to be secured, while deals north of this are also being achieved. Those at the opposite end of the market are seeing prices start around the €5.80-6.00/kg mark.

Speaking about the trade at present, Sean Dennehy, the sheep chairperson of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), said: “The trade is steady at the moment. There is a good demand still, with a lot of hoggets at the top end of the market moving between €6.20/kg and €6.30/kg.

“Those involved in producer groups or moving large numbers are securing deals of at least 5c/kg north of this as well.

“Meanwhile, ewes are being moved at €2.90/kg up to €3.10/kg at the top end of the market.”