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The sheep trade has picked up where it left off last week. Supply and demand continue to be finely balanced and this is helping to keep a floor under the trade.
Spring lamb quotes range from a base of €5.90/kg to €6.00/kg, with general prices ranging from €6.05/kg to €6.20/kg for quality assured (QA) lamb.
Hogget trade
The hogget trade is variable, with quality dictating prices paid. Base quotes are starting at €5.30/kg, but general prices paid for good-quality hoggets ticking all the boxes range from €5.50/kg to €5.70/kg.
Hoggets presented excessively overweight, falling below-optimum carcase weights or under-fleshed with a fat score of 1 continue to face penalties of 70c/kg to €1/kg.
The ewe trade is also variable, with quotes ranging from €2.60/kg to €2.70/kg, but up to €2.80/kg to €2.90/kg is being paid by factories most active for ewes.
There is also a significant variation between paid carcase weights, which range from 40kg to 45kg.
Sellers with large-framed heavy ewes should consider their options, as the mart trade remains a good alternative outlet.
SHARING OPTIONS: