While there are no significant changes in the trade price-wise, there is a greater appetite from plants for spring lambs. This comes on the back of a sharp fall in hogget throughput this week and greater discussions of a switchover to spring lamb in a number of retailers.

Export plants are quoting a base of €5.80/kg, with most lambs moving from €5.90/kg to €6.00/kg by means of a group or producer bonus. Plants are trying to stick to €5.90/kg for sellers outside of producer groups or with smaller numbers on hand. In some cases, they have raised carcase weight limits to 20.5kg, with reports also suggesting sellers with large numbers coming on stream have secured 21kg carcase weight, with plants favouring this approach over increasing price.

Many farmers are also voicing frustration at securing a defined quality assurance (QA) payment, with some agents giving a quote and then commenting, when questioned, that it includes a QA bonus.

While plants increased spring lamb processing last week by 3,500 head, throughput of spring lambs remained small as a percentage of overall throughput at 8,644 head. Reports and activity suggest this will increase again this week, but there have also been suggestions by some factory agents that throughput is not rising as quickly as they would like, with weather slowing lamb thrive.

As such, factories are reluctant to pass up on any hoggets passing their way. Quotes remain at €5.20/kg, but reports show a top of €5.40/kg to €5.50/kg is being paid for large volumes of hoggets or in-spec light- carcase hoggets. Price is very dependent on quality, with only tail-end supplies appearing in mart sales.

Demand in Northern Ireland has recovered for hoggets, with quotes lifting 20p/kg, but still remaining low at £3.30/kg or the equivalent of €4.70/kg. Spring lamb quotes have eased 10p/kg to £3.70/kg to £3.80/kg (€5.27/kg to €5.41/kg), with plants continuing to focus on hoggets over spring lamb. Lower demand from southern buyers is said to be adding to trade difficulties. The number of sheep exported south for direct slaughter fell to 2,716 last week.

Demand for ewes is variable. ICM and Kildare Chilling have dropped quotes 20c/kg to €2.80/kg, while Kepak is up 10c/kg, with Ballyhaunis quoting €3.00/kg with their first quote for a number of weeks.

Commenting on a meeting between IFA and Musgrave in Cork, IFA National Sheep Committee chairman John Lynskey said Supervalu will make the full changeover to spring lamb from next week, with a number of other retailers expected to make similar moves.

“The change to spring lamb will increase demand and should boost lamb prices from the current levels of €6.00/kg to €6.20/kg.”