Factory quotes in Ireland have come under more pressure in the last week, with hogget quotes in some plants falling by 5c/kg to 10c/kg.

This has cut the differential between quotes with the two Irish Country Meats plants in Camolin and Navan remaining on a base quote of €5.80/kg plus their 20c/kg quality assurance bonus, while Kildare Chilling and other plants not quoting are reported as reducing 5c/kg to 10c/kg to a base of €5.90/kg plus the respective quality assurance bonuses.

This leaves Ballon Meats with its all-in quote of €6.20/kg well ahead of the group.

Prices paid to individual sellers handling smaller numbers are now typically in the range of €6.00/kg to €6.05/kg for quality assured hoggets.

Those selling through groups or with greater negotiating power are generally trading at €6.10/kg to €6.15/kg, with top prices hitting €6.20/kg to €6.25/kg and possibly marginally higher in the wholesale trade.

While plants in Northern Ireland have also inflicted some pressure on prices, the trade has performed better relative to both the trade in Ireland and Britain.

Base quotes

Base quotes for Thursday range from £5.15/kg to £5.20/kg or the equivalent of €5.85/kg to €5.91/kg.

Farmers in Northern Ireland do not receive the flat rate 5% VAT addition that farmers who are not registered for VAT in Ireland receive. Hence, on a like-for-like basis, base quotes are an average of 15c/kg higher in Northern plants.

Regular sellers are securing 5p/kg to 10p/kg above base quotes, bringing top prices to £5.30/kg (€6.02/kg).

Northern trade

Reports indicate that factories in Northern Ireland have been much more forceful in recent weeks in protecting throughput and have been competing with greater intensity, with agents purchasing on behalf of southern plants.

Last week’s throughput increased by about 250 head to 9,863 sheep.

The number of sheep exported south for direct slaughter in southern plants was recorded at 5,266 head, about 400 down on the week previous.

The trade in Northern Ireland is also outperforming the trade in Britain in recent months.

It is common for prices to lag behind British prices by 10p/kg to 20p/kg, but the opposite situation has occurred in recent weeks.

The latest Livestock Meat Commission report shows prices in Northern Ireland averaging £5.21/kg compared with £5.11/kg in Britain.

Ewe trade

Last week’s kill increased by 5,721 head to reach 53,332 head. This was expected, with the previous week’s throughput limited by a day’s less processing.

The ewe kill was recorded at 5,721 head and there has been more bite in the trade in some areas for ewes.

Factories’ quotes range from €3.00/kg to €3.30/kg and sellers should weigh up the best outlet.