The sheep trade is once again starting off on a strong footing this week, as lamb prices continue to head in the right direction.
Last week, base quotes for lambs saw a substantial rise of 10-20c/kg and, again, this week, quotes are once more stronger by 10-20c/kg.
Leading the way again is Kildare Chilling with a base price of €5.40/kg, which is a jump of 20c/kg from this time last week. Irish Country Meats (ICM) is offering a base price of €5.20/kg for lambs – which represents a 10c/kg increase from this time last week also.
Finally, Kepak Athleague was not quoting for lambs or ewes on Tuesday (September 8).
Going by reports, deals of up to €5.60/kg are being achieved by those involved in producer groups, while deals of between €5.40/kg and €5.55/kg are being secured “freely for lambs up to 21.5kg”.
Lamb quotes:
- Kepak Athleague: No quote;
- Kildare Chilling: 540c/kg + 10c/kg QA (Tuesday quote);
- ICM: 520c/kg + 10c/kg QA (Monday quote).
Cast ewe quotes:
- Kepak Athleague: No quote;
- Kildare Chilling: 250c/kg + 10c/kg QA (Tuesday quote);
- ICM: 260c/kg (Monday quote).
Throughput
For the week ending August 30, the sheep kill amassed to 60,507 head, which is an increase of over 6,400 head from the week before.
The number of spring lambs processed increased by 4,749 head and amounted to 51,355 head, for the week ending August 30. To date this year, 9% or 72,793 more lambs have been killed in comparison to the same period in 2019.
Cast (ewe and ram) supplies at the Department of Agriculture approved sheep export plants stood at 9,044 head – an increase of 1,724 head – for the week ending August 30.
Week-on-week sheep kill supplies (the week ending August 30):
- Spring lambs: 51,355 head (+4,749 or +10.18%);
- Ewes and rams: 9,044 head (+1,724 or +23.55%);
- Total: 60,507 head (+6,431 or +11.89%).
Moreover, overall supplies increased by 6,431 head during the week ending August 30 and amounted to 60,507 head.
Cumulative figures for the year to date have reached 1,872,639 head, which is an increase of 84,852 head compared to the 2019 figure of 1,787,787 head.
Year-on-year sheep kill changes (the week ending August 30):
- Hoggets: 787,709 head (+36,896 or +5%);
- Spring lambs: 848,599 head (+72,793 or +9%);
- Ewes and rams: 236,280 head (-24,505 or -9%);
- Total: 1,872,639 head (+84,852 or +5%).