The sheep trade has taken a turn, with lamb prices easing by 10-20c/kg over the past seven-to-10 days.
At the start of last week, base quotes for lambs were ranging between €5.20/kg and €5.30/kg. Fast forward to this week and base quotes are now ranging between €5.00/kg and €5.20/kg.
Kildare Chilling is still leading the way at the moment with a base price of €5.20/kg, which is back 20c/kg from a fortnight ago.
Irish Country Meats (ICM) is offering a base price of €5.00/kg for lambs at the moment, which is back from the €5.20/kg that it had on the table this time last week.
Once again, Kepak Athleague was not quoting for lambs or ewes.
Top prices of €5.20-5.30/kg have been reported, with those involved in producer securing 5-10c/kg more.
Base quotes for ewes are the same, with prices ranging from €2.50/kg up to €2.60/kg.
Lamb quotes:
- Kepak Athleague: No quote;
- Kildare Chilling: 520c/kg + 10c/kg QA (Monday quote);
- ICM: 500c/kg + 10c/kg QA (Monday quote).
Cast ewe quotes:
- Kepak Athleague: No quote;
- Kildare Chilling: 250c/kg + 10c/kg QA (Monday quote);
- ICM: 260c/kg (Monday quote).
Throughput
For the week ending September 13, the sheep kill amassed to 64,149 head, which is an increase of over 2,309 head from the week before.
The number of spring lambs processed increased by 2,236 head and amounted to 53,905 head, for the week ending September 13. To date this year, 12% or 98,739 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 10,085 head – a marginal increase of 78 head – for the week ending September 13.
Week-on-week sheep kill supplies (the week ending September 13):
- Spring lambs: 53,905 head (+2,236 or +4.32%);
- Ewes and rams: 10,085 head (+78 or +0.77%);
- Total: 64,149 head (+2,309 or +3.73%).
Moreover, overall supplies increased by 2,309 head during the week ending September 13 and amounted to 64,149 head.
Data source: Department of Agriculture
Cumulative figures for the year to date have reached 1,998,628 head, which is an increase of 118,246 head compared to the 2019 figure of 1,880,382 head.
Year-on-year sheep kill changes (the week ending September 13):
- Hoggets: 788,030 head (+37,000 or +5%);
- Spring lambs: 954,173 head (+98,739 or +12%);
- Ewes and rams: 256,372 head (-17,185 or -6%);
- Total: 1,998,628 head (+118,246 or +6%).