The sheep trade is continuing to see unseasonably strong processing demand, bringing higher prices at a time when the trade is normally heading down.

Factory prices started the week on 470p to 475p/kg. But by midweek, 480p/kg is being paid as local plants look to keep pace with the mart trade. During the same week last year, factory lambs were returning 395p/kg, a differential of £18/head year on year.

To date in 2020, NI factory throughput is up

In the marts, agents for southern Irish plants are competing with local factory buyers looking to source numbers for the upcoming Eid-Al-Adha festival on 30 July.

That has brought higher prices this week, with 21kg to 22kg lots returning £97 to £100, up £2 to £4 on last week. Heavier lots at 23kg to 24kg are making up to £106.

To date in 2020, NI factory throughput is up, with the sheep kill to the end of June totalling 185,732 head, almost 20,000 more than the first six months of 2019.

Exports to Irish slaughter plants are also up year on year, albeit marginally, with 163,333 animals moving south for processing during 2020, a 1% rise on 2019.

Ireland

South of the Irish border, the sheep trade is also strong. Factory lambs remain on €5.50 to €5.60/kg, which converts to 470p to 480p/kg (excluding VAT). Reports suggest processers are struggling to fill lairages.

In Britain, lamb prices have hit a five-year highpoint for the month of July. Factory prices are around 490p/kg.

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Sheep trade running 40c/kg to 50c/kg ahead of 2019 levels