Plants continued the recent lift in purchasing activity, while butchers and wholesales have been active in mart sales in the last few days.

Numbers of spring lambs on offer have been higher than anticipated, with mart managers reporting farmers targeting the Easter trade.

Prices for good-quality lots weighing 40kg to 45kg range from €85 to €100 over the weight. Wholesalers or butchers buying direct off-farm paid €7/kg, with some paying to 22kg carcase weight or higher.

Factory plants are active to a point, with the main demand remaining for hoggets. All plants are quoting a base of €6.50/kg, with the exception of Moyvalley, with the leading quote of €7/kg.

Reports suggest plants have paid €6.75/kg to €6.80/kg, with many plants sourcing lambs from the same yearly producers to meet wholesale and export demand for the Easter market.

Many buyers’ demand for spring lamb will be somewhat limited until supplies increase to allow buyers make the switchover from hoggets.

The majority of hoggets have been trading in the last week from €6.05/kg for non-quality assured (QA) or mixed quality hoggets to €6.10/kg and €6.20/kg at the higher end of the market. Reports suggest deals of €6.25/kg were secured from specialised finishers with large numbers on hand.

The mart trade has been quieter in the last few days, with factory agents talking the trade back post-Easter. Plants have dropped quotes for today (Thursday) by 5c to 15c/kg, or to €5.70/kg to €5.80/kg.

But there were still hoggets purchased yesterday at €6.10/kg to €6.20/kg.

Throughput has been strong in recent weeks, with last week’s kill rising 5,000 head to 47,271, giving plants a significant boost in supplies. The question on many sellers’ minds is if the incentivised push to attract hoggets onto the market will leave a void in supply after Easter?

IFA National Sheep Committee chairman John Lynskey said the hogget trade remains firm, with factories paying €6.10/kg to €6.20/kg to get stock. He added new season lamb numbers remain very tight, with factories paying up to €7.00/kg.

Northern hogget quotes have eased today to £4.05/kg to £4.10/kg (€5.86/kg to €5.93/kg including VAT). Spring lamb is quoted at £4.60/kg (€6.65/kg) with numbers also higher than anticipated.

The number of sheep imported south for direct slaughter reduced by slightly over 1,000 head, but remained significant at 7,088.

Firm ewe trade: The ewe trade is solid, although plants are also pointing to the potential of reduced demand stemming from the likelihood of increased New Zealand supply on the market. Ewe prices range from €3.30/kg to €3.40/kg for smaller numbers, with larger lots trading from €3.40/kg to €3.60/kg.