Sheep price update: signs of more life but quotes static

There are some signs of more life in the lamb trade, but this is not translating into any upward movement on quotes.

While there are reports of regular sellers or those with greater negotiating power securing higher returns and, in cases, a sharper live trade, base quotes on offer are unchanged.

The two Irish County Meats plants continue to quote a base of €7.50/kg plus their 20c/kg quality assurance payment.

Other plants are working from a base of €7.55/kg to €7.60/kg and a similar opening price of €7.70/kg for QA lambs.

Groups are trading in the main at €7.80/kg, with some higher-priced deals rising 5c/kg to 10c/kg higher.

There are also some sellers handling large numbers or working closely with plants and trading at the top end of the market securing prices rising to €7.95/kg to €8/kg. However, these deals are low in frequency and confined to a small number of sellers handling big numbers.

Supply and demand remains finely balanced. There are some reports of agents exhibiting a slightly stronger appetite, which is evident in a more positive tone in some mart sales.

The general run of prices for lambs weighing from 50kg to 54kg is in the region of €170 to €176, with excellent-quality and heavier types selling above this range and hitting a top of €180/head.

Ewe trade

The factory trade is unchanged for ewes in the main, with quotes in the region of €4.30/kg in most plants.

Farmers with good-quality ewes or handling significant numbers are securing an extra 10c/kg to 20c/kg, while, at the top end of the market, plants and abattoirs most active for ewes are paying to €5/kg upwards for ewes delivered to precise specifications.

There are varying reports on live prices. The general run of prices for fleshed ewes is in the region of €2.20/kg to €2.35/kg, but there is more life in places for top-quality ewes, which is pushing prices to a top of €2.40/kg to €2.50/kg for smaller numbers.