The condition of lambs coming into factories has been described as “good” for the most part, but the prices in the trade could mean lambs in poorer condition could also be offloaded and sold.
A factory procurement manager told Agriland that while there are “good” numbers of sheep being processed, there is “a bit less of a demand this week”.
He explained that these numbers were “less than you’d be expecting for the end of Ramadan”.
Reflecting on the condition of these lambs, he said: “There is good weight in them for the most part, they are heavy and fat rather than light and lean.
“It can be a mixed bag this time of year, when the price is decent, lads can just throw in anything,” he added.
Spring lamb prices
Irish Country Meats (ICM) is quoting €9.00/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for spring lambs up to 20.5kgs, a total of €9.20/kg.
Other outlets are offering €9.15/kg plus a 15c/kg QA bonus up to 20.5kgs, a total of €9.30/kg for a spring lamb.
Hoggets and lambs
Kildare Chilling is quoting €8.60/kg, plus a 10c QA bonus up to 23.5kg for hoggets/lambs – a total of €8.70/kg
They are offering €5.00/kg for light hoggets/lambs under 15kg, or those that are grading from an O2 to P1.
ICM is quoting €8.50/kg, plus a 20c/kg QA bonus, which is a total of €8.70/kg.
Other outlets are paying €8.60/kg plus a 15c QA bonus up to 23.5kg, atotal of €8.75/kg.
Ewe prices
Kildare Chilling has offered €3.60/kg plus a 10c QA bonus for ewes from 23kg to 35kg, a total of €3.70/kg and a rise of 20c/kg.
For ewes between 35kg to 43kg, Kildare Chilling has risen its prices by 30c/kg and has offered farmers €3.80/kg plus a 10c QA bonus, a total of €3.90/kg for a better type ewe.
Ewes under 23kg and rams weighing up to 43kg are both being quoted at €2.50/kg by Kildare Chilling.
ICM is currently offering €3.70/kg for heavy ewes.