Lamb prices are easier once again this week, as base quotes fall another 10c/kg.

At the moment, Kildare Chilling is leading the way once again with a base price of €5.10/kg, which is back 10c/kg from this time last week.

Once again, Kepak Athleague was not quoting for lambs or ewes – which has been the case for a number of weeks.

Taking all this into account, base prices for lambs are ranging between €4.90/kg up to €5.10/kg. Top deals of between €5.20/kg and €5.30/kg for lambs have been reported.

In terms of cast ewe quotes, ICM has pulled its price by 10c/kg to €2.50/kg. Kildare Chilling is unchanged at €2.50/kg. When quality assurance (QA) bonuses are included, deals of up to €2.60/kg are achievable, with some reportedly securing deals of up to €2.70c/kg.

Throughput

For the week ending September 20, the sheep kill amassed to 60,898 head, which is a decrease of over 3,200 head from the week before.

The number of spring lambs processed decreased by 3,414 head and amounted to 50,491 head, for the week ending September 20. To date this year, 12% or 105,685 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 10,259 head – an increase of 174 head – for the week ending September 20.

Cumulative figures for the year to date have reached 2,059,526 head, which is an increase of 128,214 head compared to the 2019 figure of 1,931,312 head.