Sheep trade heads into the Easter weekend with a firm base in the market. Prices remain steady again this week, with hoggets selling to €6/kg despite meat processors pulling base quotes back to €5.60/kg.

Spring lambs coming onto the market continue to grow, but with factories processing little more than 1,000 head per week at present, hoggets will still underpin supplies post Easter. Spring lamb quotes are €6.20/kg. Prices paid this week were €6.40/kg to €6.50/kg. Ewe prices continue to hold at €2.80/kg this week.

Strong mart prices this spring have seen a surge in numbers brought forward for live sale. With factory agents able to source sheep with greater ease, the national kill increased by 16% on the previous week.

With prices holding firm despite the increase in supplies, and processors operating on a shorter week due to the bank holiday, there is a continued air of positivity in the Irish sheep sector at present.