Most factories have increased their base quote by 10c/kg from last week’s level.

Kildare Chilling remains out in front with its base quote of €5.05/kg, with Kepak Athleague next up on a base of €5.00/kg. Moyvalley and Ballon are on all-in quotes of €5.00/kg, with the two ICM plants on a base of €4.90/kg, while Dawn Ballyhaunis is not quoting.

Demand is firm and factories are having to pay more than the quoted prices to get lambs. In the east of the country, prices for quality assured lambs range from €5.10/kg to €5.15/kg, with some reports at the higher end of the market at €5.20/kg.

Reports suggest farmers selling individually are finding it hard to pass €5.10/kg in the west, with groups securing 5c/kg to 10c/kg higher by means of producer bonuses.

Last week’s sheep kill reduced by 7,530 to 52,236 head by means of one day’s less processing. The drop stemmed primarily from fewer lambs, with the ewe and ram kill falling 1,329 head to 10,239.

Throughput is relatively steady, but this does not take into account that a high percentage of lambs are killing lower than anticipated and, in turn, contributing to a lower volume of sheep meat being processed.

One procurement manager reports a high percentage of lambs killing 42% to 43% and is urging farmers to select lambs on a combination of weight and fat cover.

IFA national sheep chair John Lynskey said: “Demand for lambs will be very strong over the next number of weeks in the lead-in to the Eid al-Adha festival and farmers should demand full value. Prices are stronger this week with €5.20/kg widely available and a tops of €5.25/kg to €5.30/kg paid.”

Live demand

Live exporters are also stepping up demand and are sending lambs to European markets ahead of the festival in the first week of September. Prices are reported from €2.25/kg to €2.35/kg, depending on the type and weight of lamb.

Agents for southern plants are using the northern trade to try to boost throughput and are reported as being very active this week, with the strength of euro to sterling helping their cause.

The number of lambs imported south for direct slaughter last week was 7,870 head.

Northern plants have increased prices to £4.15/kg, with reports of £4.20/kg paid to secure deals. This equates to €4.80/kg to €4.86/kg at 91p to the euro and including VAT at 5.4%.

The ewe trade is steady, with quotes of €2.60/kg to €2.70/kg. Sellers with good selling power are securing €2.75/kg to €2.85/kg for good lowland ewes with higher reported for light carcase ewes in the west.