The sheep trade continues to perform well above expectations, with prices rising by a further 10c/kg since the end of last week.

Prices have now risen by 30c/kg or €6 to €7 on a typical 21kg to 22kg lamb carcase in the last 10 days.

Prices paid to regular sellers and producer group members trading at the higher end of the market range from €5.55/kg to €5.65/kg.

There is a big differential between what some factories are paying to these producers and what they are quoting to individual sellers

This represents an increase of 60c/kg to 75c/kg on the corresponding week in 2019 or €15 to €18 extra on average on a 22kg carcase.

There is a big differential between what some factories are paying to these producers and what they are quoting to individual sellers with lower negotiating power.

Prices here are reported to be ranging anywhere from €5.35/kg to €5.40/kg for quality-assured lamb.

This wide differential is encouraging more farmers to present lambs in mart sales where competition is intense.

Mart managers report that while there are continued challenges with online bidding in terms of operating procedures it is benefiting producers at present with agents competing with butchers and wholesale buyers.

There appears to be some opposition at factory level to prices that are continuing to increase

Lambs weighing 50kg are selling from €120 to €126 on average, while top prices have reached €128 to €130 in rare cases for heavier lambs.

There appears to be some opposition at factory level to prices that are continuing to increase.

The two ICM plants in Camolin and Navan are killing a day less this week, while other plants are reporting they will be working at lower throughput levels in the coming days.