For the second week in a row, there are no major movements in terms of price, with meat processing facilities offering up to 550c/kg for hoggets and up to 300c/kg for cast ewes and rams.
However, hogget/lamb prices are in a much better place, with factories offering up to 50c/kg more compared to this time last year. This, in turn, works out at just over €11.00/head extra.
Again, this week, Kildare Chilling is the biggest mover in terms of price – offering 10c/kg more compared to last week. This brought its price up to 550c/kg.
Irish Country Meats was not quoting for lambs/hoggets on Monday, February 3; however, it did supply a quote for cast ewes and rams. Furthermore, Kepak Athleague was unchanged from last week – offering a base quote of 525c/kg.
Farmers involved in producer groups are securing prices of between 565c/kg and 575c/kg (up to a carcass weight of 22.5kg).
Otherwise, farmers are securing prices of between 540c/kg and 560c/kg including quality assured (QA) bonuses.
As of now, farmers are securing returns of between €118/head and €126/head.
Quotes
This week, Kildare Chilling (Monday quote) is offering a base price of 550c/kg + 10c/kg QA – up 10c/kg on last week (payable up to a carcass of 23kg).
Kepak Athleague (Monday quote) is offering a base price of 525c/kg + 15c/kg – no change on last week (payable up to a carcass of 22.5kg).
Overall, when the QA is factored in, this leaves quotes at 540-550c/kg.
In addition, cast ewes are making 290-300c/kg in sheep processing plants.
Hogget/lamb quotes:
- Kepak Athleague: 525c/kg + 15c/kg QA;
- Kildare Chilling: 550c/kg + 10c/kg QA.
Cast ewe quotes:
- Kepak Athleague: 290c/kg;
- Kildare Chilling: 290c/kg + 10c/kg QA;
- Irish Country Meats: 290c/kg.
Throughput
During the week ending Sunday, January 26, the number of lambs/hoggets processed increased by 2,440 head and amounted to 45,866.
Cast (ewe and ram) supplies at Department of Agriculture approved sheep export plants stood at 7,404 – a decrease of 132 head – for the week ending January 26.
Week-on-week sheep kill supplies (week ending January 26):
- Hoggets/lambs: 45,866 (+2,440 or +5.6%);
- Ewes and rams: 7,404 head (-132 or -1.75%);
- Total: 53,271 head (+2,309 or +4.5%).
Furthermore, overall supplies increased by 2,309 head during the week ending January 26.
Year-on-year sheep kill changes (week ending January 26):
- Hoggets: 178,546 head (+12,764 or +8%);
- Ewes and rams: 29,409 head (-8,506 or -22%);
- Total: 207,956 head (+4,259 or +2%).