The sheep trade has eased back over the last week, both in factories and mart sales. Factories have eased quotes by 10c/kg for today (Thursday). Ballon Meats tops the quotes table on an all-in quote of €5.60/kg, with Kepak Athleague and Moyvalley quoting €5.50/kg. All other plants are quoting a base of €5.40/kg.

Sellers continue to negotiate prices well in excess of quotes, with prices ranging from €5.55/kg to €5.65/kg secured by sellers handling smaller numbers. Those with higher numbers and producer groups are securing up to €5.70/kg at the higher end of the market, although it must also be noted that prices vary depending on the region.

Factory agents have dropped activity levels in many marts and are unwilling to compete to the same intensity. Prices have dropped by up to €5 to €6/head in cases, with greater reductions reported in others. Continued inclement weather is also said to have quenched demand for light store lambs, with prices back by anywhere from €5 to €8/head on levels experienced in previous weeks.

The weekly kill reduced slightly on the previous week, falling by about 600 head to 39,604. Hoggets fell about 200 head, with ewe throughput in the region of 400 head less. Processors blame weaker demand in export markets, with one plant pointing to greater competition for Irish lamb from new-season French Lacaune lamb and Spanish lamb.

Recovery in NI trade

In contrast, trade in the North has strengthened. Quotes have increased 5p/kg to £4.10/kg (€5.45/kg including VAT).

While southern agents are reported as remaining active in mart sales, they have not secured the same volume of lambs as recent weeks, with the number of lambs imported for direct slaughter reducing from 8,487 to 6,645 head for the week ending 27 February. The northern kill also increased throughput, rising about 500 hoggets to 4,762.

Ewes steady

Ewes remain steady, with quotes ranging from €2.90/kg to €3.00/kg. There is scope to negotiate above these quotes, with sellers with small numbers securing up to €3.20/kg. At the higher end of the market, agents and sellers handling higher numbers are reported as securing €3.30/kg to €3.40/kg.

Spring and milk lambs

Plants are not active for spring lambs, with most quoting similar to hoggets at present. Kepak Athleague says it will be starting to kill milk lamb for a niche market from 11 March onwards.

The type of lambs sought after are fleshed carcases weighing 10kg to 12kg ideally and no higher than 13kg.

There are no prices quoted as yet with last year’s trade averaging around €7.50/kg.