This is a subscriber-only article
Limited supplies of slaughter-fit hoggets have seen a major lift in factory prices this week, with processors raising their prices by as much as 50p/kg, or £11/head on a 22kg carcase.
Processors are officially quoting 520p/kg to 530p/kg, but the reality is that these prices are nowhere near the prices being paid.
Deals of 540p/kg to 550p/kg were being made earlier this week. By midweek, factories were forced to increase their prices to 560p/kg, such is the level of competition between plants operating on both sides of the Irish border.
There have been isolated reports indicating that up to 570p/kg has been paid to larger, specialist finishers supply large numbers of hoggets.
Spring lambs have also increased by 10p/kg to 20p/kg with plants now offering 590p/kg to 600p/kg, payable to 21kg. However, limited numbers are required to fulfil orders.
Competition
In Britain, there has also been significant prices increases. Prices for hoggets have hit £6/kg in parts of England earlier this week. The mart trade has recorded significant price increases with hoggets rising by 30p/kg on last week.
The hogget trade in Ireland has also seen prices rocketing this week with plants offering a base of €6.15/kg to €6.20/kg, but with 30c/kg to 50c/kg more available to finishers with larger numbers.
Southern plants were extremely active for NI lambs this week, which gave the live trade a much needed boost after flatter prices during the Easter period.
On Monday, prices in Kilrea saw hoggets selling to £124 per head. At the weekend, hoggets sold regularly above the £130 per head mark, with a top price of £139 paid for a pen of 25kg animals.
SHARING OPTIONS: