Hogget prices continue to further strengthen, with prices at the top end of the market now hitting €7.50/kg this week.

Prices at the top end of the market are ranging from €7.30/kg up to €7.50/kg, but sellers are digging their heels in when it comes to price and are holding out for €7.40-7.50/kg.

Supplies are very tight and it is reported that deals are being done at higher weights (up to 24kg). Prices are not just strengthening at factory level, with the mart trade for hoggets yesterday (March 15) on fire, with prices pushing on once again from last week.

Kildare Chilling has moved to increase its base price for hoggets by 30c/kg from this time last week to €7.20/kg plus a 10c/kg quality assurance (QA) bonus.

Irish Country Meats (ICM) has also moved to increase its base price for hoggets by 10c/kg from this time last week to €6.80/kg plus a 10c/kg QA bonus.

After what was described as a disappointing opening quote for spring lambs last week, factories have moved to keep their cards closer to their chest this week. Kildare Chilling is the only factory to show its hand for spring lambs this week by offering a base price of €7.40/kg plus a 10c/kg QA bonus – which is up 40c/kg from this time last week.

A source from one meat processing plant told AgriLand that there is “no real right spring lambs” out there at the moment and that it is early days yet.

The cull ewe trade also continues to strengthen with factories moving to increase base quotes once again. Top prices for ewes are hitting €3.20/kg.

Speaking about the sheep trade at present, the sheep chair of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), Sean Dennehy, said: “Prices are strengthening once again, with €7.30/kg freely available for hoggets, with top prices of €7.40-7.50/kg also being achieved.

“There is a very strong demand. Farmers should sell hard in a positive and rising market where supplies are a long way short of demand.”

Hogget quotes:

  • Kepak Athleague: No quote;
  • Kildare Chilling: 720c/kg + 10c/kg QA;
  • ICM: 680c/kg + 10c/kg QA.

Spring lamb quotes:

  • Kildare Chilling: 740c/kg + 10c/kg QA;
  • ICM: No quote;
  • Kepak Atleague: No quote.

Cast ewe quotes:

  • Kildare Chilling: 310c/kg + 10c/kg QA;
  • ICM: 290c/kg;
  • Kepak Athleague: No quote.

Sheep kill

Looking at the throughput for the week ending March 7, a total of 47,217 sheep were processed, which was an increase of 3,757 head on the week before.

The number of hoggets slaughtered amounted to 42,631 head which was a substantial increase of 5,413 head on the previous week.

Ewe and ram throughput saw a big decrease on the week before – down 1,671 head to 4,560 head.

Week-on-week sheep kill supplies (week ending March 7):

  • Lambs/hoggets: 42,631 head (+5,413 or +14.5%);
  • Ewes and rams: 4,560 head (-1,671 or -26.8%);
  • Total: 47,217 head (+3,757 or +8.64%).

Looking at the cumulative figures for the year to date, 417,837 sheep have been processed so far this year, which is a decrease of 29,053 head compared to the 2020 figure of 446,890 head.

Data source: DAFM

Year-on-year sheep kill changes (week ending March 7):

  • Lambs/hoggets: 366,912 head (-20,203 or -5%);
  • Ewes and rams: 50,865 head (-8,907 or -15%);
  • Total: 417,837 head (-29,053 or -7%).