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Sheep prices have recorded further improvement this week, with quotes lifting by 10c/kg to 20c/kg.
Kepak Athleague and Kildare Chilling remain out in front, with their base quotes of €5.25/kg and €5.20/kg respectively – a lift of 20c/kg on the week.
The two ICM plants have also increased their quotes by 20c/kg to a base of €5.10/kg, with Ballon Meats on a similar all-in quote following a 10c/kg price lift.
This leaves Dawn Ballyhaunis and Moyvalley on a quote of €5.00/kg.
General prices paid at the start of the week ranged from €5.05/kg to €5.20/kg, with prices rising as the week progressed.
An increasing number of sellers are securing prices of €5.20/kg to €5.30/kg, while reports yesterday show sellers with significant numbers of clean lambs on hand and greater negotiating power securing €5.40/kg.
Tight supplies are being compounded by significant disruptions to normal processing activity caused by the implementation of the clean livestock policy.
Just shy of 3,600 sheep are reported to have been rejected for slaughter last week after being classified as category C under the policy, with daily rates ranging from 5% to 10%.
Confusion on what category lambs are likely to fall into and reports of lambs requiring shearing before being accepted for slaughter have led some farmers to delay drafting (see page 6 for more).
Ewe prices have also lifted, with quotes ranging from €2.90/kg to €3.00/kg, with top prices rising to €3.20/kg to €3.30/kg.
Northern trade
Prices are also swiftly rising in the North and in Britain.
Quotes in the North have lifted to £4.25/kg, which at Wednesday’s exchange rate of 89p to the euro equates to €4.78/kg or €5.04/kg including VAT at 5.4%.
There are sellers with greater negotiating power securing well above these quotes, with top prices rising to £4.35/kg to £4.40/kg (€5.15/kg to €5.21/kg incl VAT).
These prices are being paid to stay in contention with mart prices and those offered from agents purchasing for southern plants.
The number of sheep imported for direct slaughter last week was recorded at 9,076, a fall of about 1,000 head on the previous week.
The AHDB reports British prices rising by 15p/kg last week to average £4.42/kg (€5.24/kg incl VAT)for R3 grading lambs.
Prices continue to strengthen, with regular sellers securing upwards of £4.50/kg to £4.55/kg (€5.33/kg to €5.39/kg) this week.
Meanwhile, the trade in France is solid (Grade 1 lambs €5.27/kg incl VAT) with demand predicted to improve in the coming days.
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