Supplies of slaughter fit hoggets are tightening just as buying demand ramps up for the Ramadan festival which begins on 22 March.

With processors chasing numbers, base quotes have increased to 540p/kg, an increase of 20p/kg on last week.

Struggle

ADVERTISEMENT

However, deals of 550p/kg are widely available as factories struggle to keep pace with local marts.

Prices there are up £2 to £5 per head on last week with good quality meal finished hoggets commanding £120 and above with increasing regularity.

Irish factories have increased prices by 20c/kg this week with €6.30 to €6.50/kg on offer which converts to 535p to 548p/kg.

Read more

Watch: how to avoid electrical hazards on farms

Emissions from new Irish gas field would be 89% lower than imported gas - report