Factory quotes for Thursday have been pulled by 10c/kg to 20c/kg on last week’s level.
The two ICM plants in Camolin and Navan, along with Kildare Chilling, are quoting a base of €5.40/kg.
Kepak Athleague has failed to quote for the third week running, joined this week by Dawn Ballyhaunis.
Moyvalley Meats is holding its all-in quote of €5.50/kg, while Ballon Meats is back 20c/kg at €5.30/kg all-in.
Prices secured earlier in the week were running at a range of €5.50/kg to €5.65/kg, with producer groups and agents or sellers trading at the higher end of the market securing higher prices rising to €5.70/kg and slightly more in cases.
Agents were particularly active in mart sales to source supplies, which inserted a strong floor under the trade.
Reports of prices for Thursday and Friday point to tops of €5.55/kg to €5.65/kg, with sellers handling smaller numbers being quoted €5.40/kg to €5.50/kg.
Factories are blaming a trickier market and higher numbers for the weakening in price.
Last week’s throughput recovered to reach 54,496 head, which is similar to the corresponding week in 2017. This comprised 43,349 lambs, 6,822 ewes and lambs and 4,302 hoggets.
IFA national sheep chair Sean Dennehy accused the factories of undermining the lamb market: “Constant negative comments on price is destroying confidence.
“Farmers should resist the negative lower factory prices quoted, with some top prices at €5.60/kg,” he said.
Northern prices
In contrast, prices quoted by Northern Ireland plants have strengthened by 5p/kg as factories look to ward off interest from southern buyers.
Quotes range from £4.30/kg to £4.35/kg or the equivalent of €4.83/kg to €4.88/kg and €5.09/kg to €5.15/kg. The lower prices are making northern lambs an attractive proposition.
The latest DAERA report shows 5,533 sheep imported south for direct slaughter last week.
This is 489 head lower than the corresponding week in 2018, with year-to-date imports at 142,681 head running 35,053 behind 2018.
Imports from Northern Ireland on to southern farms are running at 32,888 head up to the end of May, a lift of 5,519 on the previous year.
The latest AHDB price report shows prices easing on average by 20p/kg.
R3 grading lambs average £4.52/kg (€5.35/kg), with last week’s throughput estimated as up about 5%.
Demand for ewes continues to be underpinned by tighter numbers.
Quotes range from €2.70/kg to €2.80/kg, with top prices ranging from €2.80/kg to €2.95/kg.
Read more
SheepWatch: slightly tougher lamb trade in recent days
Factory quotes for Thursday have been pulled by 10c/kg to 20c/kg on last week’s level.
The two ICM plants in Camolin and Navan, along with Kildare Chilling, are quoting a base of €5.40/kg.
Kepak Athleague has failed to quote for the third week running, joined this week by Dawn Ballyhaunis.
Moyvalley Meats is holding its all-in quote of €5.50/kg, while Ballon Meats is back 20c/kg at €5.30/kg all-in.
Prices secured earlier in the week were running at a range of €5.50/kg to €5.65/kg, with producer groups and agents or sellers trading at the higher end of the market securing higher prices rising to €5.70/kg and slightly more in cases.
Agents were particularly active in mart sales to source supplies, which inserted a strong floor under the trade.
Reports of prices for Thursday and Friday point to tops of €5.55/kg to €5.65/kg, with sellers handling smaller numbers being quoted €5.40/kg to €5.50/kg.
Factories are blaming a trickier market and higher numbers for the weakening in price.
Last week’s throughput recovered to reach 54,496 head, which is similar to the corresponding week in 2017. This comprised 43,349 lambs, 6,822 ewes and lambs and 4,302 hoggets.
IFA national sheep chair Sean Dennehy accused the factories of undermining the lamb market: “Constant negative comments on price is destroying confidence.
“Farmers should resist the negative lower factory prices quoted, with some top prices at €5.60/kg,” he said.
Northern prices
In contrast, prices quoted by Northern Ireland plants have strengthened by 5p/kg as factories look to ward off interest from southern buyers.
Quotes range from £4.30/kg to £4.35/kg or the equivalent of €4.83/kg to €4.88/kg and €5.09/kg to €5.15/kg. The lower prices are making northern lambs an attractive proposition.
The latest DAERA report shows 5,533 sheep imported south for direct slaughter last week.
This is 489 head lower than the corresponding week in 2018, with year-to-date imports at 142,681 head running 35,053 behind 2018.
Imports from Northern Ireland on to southern farms are running at 32,888 head up to the end of May, a lift of 5,519 on the previous year.
The latest AHDB price report shows prices easing on average by 20p/kg.
R3 grading lambs average £4.52/kg (€5.35/kg), with last week’s throughput estimated as up about 5%.
Demand for ewes continues to be underpinned by tighter numbers.
Quotes range from €2.70/kg to €2.80/kg, with top prices ranging from €2.80/kg to €2.95/kg.
Read more
SheepWatch: slightly tougher lamb trade in recent days
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