Prices in the sheep trade this week have shown upward movement in many cases, as quotes from factories for hoggets, spring lambs and ewes have risen.
Some processors have reduced their offerings for hoggets, and are unchanged for ewes, but other factories have increased prices for sheep being supplied this week.
A year ago, base quotes for spring lambs ranged from €7.55-7.70/kg, while those in the quality assured (QA) bracket fetched prices from €7.75-7.80/kg.
This year, base prices for spring lambs are ranging from €9.20-9.35/kg, with QA spring lambs are at €9.30-9.50/kg.
Hoggets during this period in 2023 were fetching base prices from between €6.55-6.90/kg, while QA hoggets were selling at €6.75-7/kg.
This week, hogget base prices are from €8.30-8.80/kg, with QA hoggets ranging from €8.50-8.90/kg.
A factory procurement manager told Agriland that as Ramadan draws to a close this week, prices in the sheep trade are expected to “track back,” but that there won’t be a “groundbreaking” change in the trade at the present.
Spring lamb prices
Kildare Chilling has offered its opening quotes for this year’s new crop of lambs, as they are offering €9.20/kg plus a 10c/kg QA bonus for spring lambs up to 20kgs, a total of €9.30/kg for today only (Monday, April 8).
Irish Country Meats (ICM) is quoting €9.20/kg, plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for spring lambs up to 20.5kgs, a total of €9.40/kg and an increase of 20c/kg.
Other outlets are offering €9.35/kg plus a 15c/kg QA bonus up to 20.5kgs, a total of €9.50/kg for a spring lamb.
Hoggets and lambs
Kildare Chilling is quoting €8.80/kg, plus a 10c QA bonus up to 23.5kg for hoggets/lambs – a total of €8.90/kg and a rise of 10c/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 €8.30/kg, plus a 20c/kg QA bonus, which is a total of €8.50/kg and a reduction of 20c/kg since last week.
Other outlets are paying €8.65/kg plus a 15c QA bonus up to 23.5kg, a total of €8.80/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
For ewes between 35kg to 43kg, Kildare Chilling 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, while other outlets are offering €3.95/kg for a QA ewe weighing over 30kg.