The only positive on the domestic front for factory sheep prices this week is a steadying in base quotes following two weeks of prices falling by 10c/kg.

The two Irish Country Meats (ICM) plants and Dawn Kildare continue to quote a base of €7.50/kg, with ICM’s 10c/kg higher quality assurance (QA) payment of 20c/kg separating the plants.

Ballon Meats remains on top of the quotes table with its all-in quote of €7.80/kg.

Groups are generally being paid €7.75/kg to €7.80/kg in the main. Regular sellers are struggling to negotiate above this range, with isolated cases of €7.85/kg to €7.90/kg.

Some factory agents report that there is plenty of sheep in the market, but the definition of plenty of sheep has changed significantly in the last year.

Last week’s throughput increased by about 600 head to 36,954 sheep. This is running 1,716 head above the corresponding week in 2025, where factories were increasing price in response to throughput falling on the back of a reduction in base quotes.

Kill figures are running upwards of 10,000 head lower than the typical throughput levels recorded in recent years, but the difference is factories are content to do with much lower throughput.

It also appears that there will be no movement in carcase weights. Some sellers were hoping for movement to 23.5kg from the start of February, but this looks unlikely, with factories trying to discourage producers from retaining hoggets to heavier weights.

Cuts remain in place at a range of 25kg to 27kg carcase weight. Some plants are deducting 1kg payment for heavy carcases, while others are paying a maximum of €170/head. If in doubt about weight, confirm cuts before moving sheep.

Ewe trade

The ewe trade is stagnant, with prices in most plants in the region of €4.30/kg to €4.50/kg.

Agents are also reporting a lukewarm appetite for ewes, with kill numbers relatively small at 3,292 head.

Ballon Meats is well out in front in terms of ewe prices, with its quote of €5/kg for quality ewes unchanged.

Northern Ireland

Factories in Northern Ireland are being forced to increase base quotes by 10p/kg to £6.30/kg (€7.27/kg). This is due to more interest in the market from buyers purchasing sheep for export to mainland Britain.

This follows British prices increasing anywhere from 15p/kg to 30p/kg at the start of the week and pushing upwards of £7/kg (€8.08/kg).

The number of sheep exported to Britain last week for direct slaughter was recorded at 1,566 head, up 400 on the previous week, with significant numbers reported as being exported to farms and for further sale.

Numbers exported for slaughter to Ireland fell by almost 1,100 head to 2,471, with agents having lower purchasing power given recent price cuts.