Hogget prices have maintained their upward momentum over the last week. Some marts held in the east of country at the start of the week reported prices increasing by €1 to €3/head, with agents keen to maximise factory throughput ahead of weather disruptions.

Heavy hoggets over 50kg are selling in general from €120 to €128/head, with varying condition leading to a price differential of €5 to €8 between similar-weight lots. Top prices have been reported at an average of €128 to €132 and have been paid where butcher interest has generated extra competition for lots weighing 54kg upwards.

The store trade is unchanged. Hoggets from 37kg to 42kg are selling mainly from €97 to €103/head. Those from 34kg to 37kg are selling mainly from €84 to €90/head, while small numbers of lighter hoggets are selling from €2.20/kg to €2.50/kg.

There has also been an increase in demand in some areas for ewe lambs and ewes with lambs at foot, with buyers starting to purchase for summer grazing systems and to meet ANC requirements.

It is very hard to put a price range on ewes with lambs at foot. Good-quality third- and fourth-crop ewes with twin lambs at foot are selling from €170 to €220, with younger and top-quality ewes with strong lambs at foot selling up to €240 to €260. Likewise, aged lowland ewes with good-quality single lambs are selling from €110 to €150, depending on quality with young ewes and strong lambs rising to €180.

Cull ewes are solid. Heavy-carcase fleshed ewes (over 38kg carcase) are selling from €110 to €130, with lighter fleshed ewes selling from €90 to €110.

There are very few ewes selling below €50 to €60 with those with an average cover of flesh from €60 to €80.