This week's sheep trade has seen no movement in either the lamb price or hogget price quotes as cull ewe prices have increased at some outlets for the heavier-types.

One outlet has told Agriland this week that there is "pressure on hogget prices" but held its price offer for the week despite this.

At the top-end of the trade, up to €9.90/kg is being paid for spring lambs. There is plenty of optimism amongst farmers that spring lamb price will surpass €10/kg this year but this has yet to materialise.

Up to €9.40/kg is being paid for hoggets and up to €5.75/kg is being paid for heavy 'E' and 'U' grade ewes.

Kildare Chilling is quoting €9.60/kg plus a 10c/kg Quality Assurance (QA) bonus leaving €9.70/kg on offer here for spring lambs this week up to 20.5kg carcass weight.

The Kildare-based outlet is quoting €8.90/kg plus a 10c/kg QA bonus for hoggets leaving €9.00/kg on offer, here up to 23kg carcass weight. Cull ewes are being quoted at prices ranging from €5.50-5.75/kg at Kildare Chilling, depending on quality, grade and carcass weight.

Irish Country Meats (ICM) is quoting €9.50/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for spring lambs. leaving €9.70/kg on offer here up to 21kg carcass weight.

The Navan, Co. Meath and Camolin, Co. Wexford-based outlet is quoting €9.00 plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for hoggets leaving €9.20/kg on offer here for hoggets up to 23kg carcass weight.

ICM is quoting €5.50/kg for cull ewes with carcass weights above 45kg.

Kepak is quoting €9.70/kg for spring lambs up to 21kg carcass weight. For hoggets, the Athleague, Co. Roscommon-based outlet is quoting €8.95/kg plus a 15c/kg QA bonus leaving €9.10/kg on offer here up to 23kg carcass weight.

Kepak is quoting €5.30-5.40/kg for cull ewes.