Seasonal pressure on lamb prices has abated for at least this week with opening factory quotes steady at an opening price of €9/kg for quality assured lambs.

Reports indicate that tight supplies and relatively positive market demand has helped to underpin prices.

Groups and regular sellers are being paid €9.10/kg with prices at the top end of the market at €9.20/kg-plus.

Prices are running about 80c/kg ahead of the corresponding week in 2025 or just shy of €17/head higher on a 21kg carcase.

Demand for store lambs is also positive despite grass growth rates slowing in the east of the country.

Prices for good-quality lowland stores are averaging from €3.70/kg to €4/kg with select lots rising to €4.20/kg and higher. Crossbred and hill lambs are appearing in smaller numbers and are selling upwards to €3/kg to €3.30/kg liveweight.

The trade for breeding ewe hoggets looks like it will be positive.

Only small numbers are appearing to date but top-quality heavier hoggets are selling north of €300 per head with medium-weight nice-quality hoggets selling from €250 to €295/head.