The combination of the upcoming Ramadan festival and tight supplies is having a positive effect and is helping to hold strong lamb prices.

Spring lambs weighing 43kg to 45kg are making €130 to €146/head, or €87 to €101 over the weight in the marts.

Hogget numbers are starting to decline but prices are also holding strong. Hoggets weighing 48kg to 52kg are making €120 to €145/hd, or €72 to €93 over. Prices also remain firm in the factories, with spring lambs trading at €6.95/kg to €7.05/kg and top prices of €7.10/kg being paid for spring lambs. Top prices for hoggets continue to hit the €6.35/kg to €6.40/kg mark.