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The sheep trade is starting the week with prices steady to 5c/kg lower. Factory appetite for lambs remains strong, with reports of procurement managers and agents contacting producer groups and regular sellers to gauge numbers coming on stream.
Some were using the exercise to back up their stance on price pressure and be in a position to get their hands on higher numbers at short notice if required.
Top of the table
Kildare Chilling remains well out in front of the other key export-orientated sheep plants. Its base quote of €5.10/kg plus 10c/kg quality assurance (QA) bonus is 15c/kg to 20c/kg ahead of its competitors, with farmers trading in the plant securing returns of €5.20/kg without any negotiations.
Achieving a similar price in the other plants is a challenge for those trading individually, with sellers handling smaller numbers being offered an average price of €5.05/kg to €5.10/kg, while regular sellers and groups are pushing returns to €5.20/kg to €5.25/kg.
Agents purchasing on behalf of southern plants remain active in northern sales
Significant variability remains between and within plants in carcase weight limits. Regular sellers and some groups are negotiating a higher carcase weight limit of 22kg while the general offer is a limit of 21.5kg.
Agents purchasing on behalf of southern plants remain active in northern sales. Reports suggest these buyers continue to dictate the trade, with prices firming over the weekend.
Factories continue to quote prices of £4.30/kg to £4.35/kg or the equivalent of €4.73/kg to €4.79/kg at an exchange rate of 90.8p to the euro.
Regular sellers and groups continue to command 5p/kg to 10p/kg higher, with this premium offered in cases to fend off interest from buyers purchasing for southern plants.
Throughput in Northern Ireland plants is holding steady in the region of 10,000 head, but, as is the case in the south, this figure is expected to gradually reduce as supplies tighten.
Ewe trade
The highlight of the ewe trade continues to be the prices paid in marts for large-framed heavy ewes.
Factory quotes remain low at €2.50/kg, with individual sellers capable of securing 10c/kg to 15c/kg higher, while top prices secured by agents handling large numbers are reported from €2.75/kg to €2.80/kg.
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