It looks as if the drive for spring lamb has really kicked into gear, as factories move to increase base quotes once again as Easter edges closer.

In saying that, the number of spring lambs coming on stream remains small and this could be seen at sales held yesterday (Monday, March 22).

Opening quotes a fortnight ago for spring lambs, started at around the €7.00-7.10/kg mark and pushed on last week to €7.40-7.50/kg.

This week, spring lamb quotes are ranging from €7.40/kg up to €7.70/kg. At the top end of the market prices for spring lambs are ranging from €7.80-7.90/kg.

Kildare Chilling is on a base price of €7.70/kg plus a 10c/kg quality assurance (QA) bonus for spring lambs.

Irish Country Meats (ICM) is on a base of €7.40/kg plus a 10c/kg QA bonus for spring lambs. Kepak Athleague wasn’t quoting, although it is believed the western-based plant is out in front in terms of the base price it is offering for spring lambs this week.

On the other hand, in terms of the hogget trade, Kildare Chilling has moved to ease its base price for hoggets to €7.10/kg – down 10c/kg from last week. While ICM remains on a base price of €6.80/kg for hoggets.

At the top end of the market, prices for hoggets are ranging from €7.20/kg up to €7.40/kg in cases.

Despite factory prices easing for hoggets, the mart trade yesterday (Monday, March 22) showed no signs of easing, with prices matching the highs seen last week.

Throughput

Looking at the throughput for the week ending March 14, a total of 45,458 sheep were processed, which was a decrease of 1,759 head on the week before.

The number of hoggets slaughtered amounted to 40,749 head which was a decrease of 1,882 head on the previous week.

Ewe and ram throughput saw a slight increase on the week before – up 137 head to 4,697 head.

Looking at the cumulative figures for the year to date, 463,295 sheep have been processed so far this year, which is a decrease of 32,818 head compared to the 2020 figure of 496,113 head.