After several weeks of rising prices, the sheep trade appears to have steadied somewhat.

Higher prices have had the desired effect for factories in attracting higher numbers forward. Last week’s kill increased by 13,429 head to reach throughput of 58,561.

Added to the previous week’s lift, the kill has increased by a combined total of 19,317 head in the last two weeks. The increase has occurred two weeks ahead of the peak kill of 55,000 head in 2017 due to Easter falling at an earlier date.

Higher throughput has been secured by the kill rising across all categories. At 49,606 head, there were 9,986 extra hoggets processed, with a noticeable increase reported in the number of ewe hoggets presented for sale.

Quotes remain unchanged, with Ballon Meats, Dawn Ballyhaunis, Kepak Athleague and Kildare Chilling all offering a base price of €5.90/kg. This leaves Moyvalley Meats top with its all-in quote of €6.00/kg and ICM marginally behind the group with its base of €5.80/kg.

Prices paid to producers range in general from €6.05/kg to €6.15/kg, with specialist finishers handling large numbers and trading at the top of the market securing 5c/kg to 10c/kg higher.

The number of sheep imported from Northern Ireland for direct slaughter also contributed to the higher kill. At 10,696, the number of sheep travelling south increased by 3,432, with agents purchasing for southern plants particularly active in mart sales.

This left supplies in the North tighter and is reflected in the northern kill reducing by 669 head to 5,970 sheep, the lowest for the year to date.

Northern plants remain on a base quote of £5.05/kg, which is the equivalent of €5.78/kg at 87.4p to the euro and €6.09/kg including VAT at 5.4%.

Regular sellers are securing 5p/kg to 10p/kg higher to compete with southern buyers.

British prices have also steadied. The AHDB reports R3 and U3 grading hoggets trading for £5.16/kg and £5.26/kg (€6.22/kg to €6.34/kg incl VAT) respectively.

The number of spring lambs processed last week was relatively low at 358 head, but this was still well up on just 14 processed the previous week.

Prices are variable, at €6.90/kg to €7.10/kg, and as high as €7.20/kg reported in the west. This is in contrast with the east, where factories are reported as offering a base of €6.50/kg to €6.60/kg and paying up to €6.80/kg, with the exception of Moyvalley at €7/kg. The ewe and ram kill increased last week by 3,099 head to 8,597. Quotes remain split on a price of €3.00/kg and €3.10/kg. Prices paid range from €3.10/kg to €3.20/kg, with sellers handling large numbers securing 5c/kg to 10c/kg higher and carcase weight limits above the norm of 40kg to 43kg.

Read more

Strong prices hold firm in the marts

Prime cattle quotes edge upwards to 358p/kg