The main reduction came in hoggets, with throughput reducing 3,587 head to 31,766. Ewe and ram throughput reached its lowest level for quite some time, reducing 1,380 head to 5,259.

However, there are signs that numbers are falling below a level that factories can sustain this week, with agents getting more active in trying to source sheep as the week progresses.

There are reports of agents making repeat calls to producers that they know have significant numbers of hoggets on hand. However, reports suggest that there has not been a significant increase in deals negotiated, with some feeders happy to sit on numbers for another week.

General prices on offer are in the region of €5.25/kg to €5.30/kg, with some deals reported 5c/kg to 10c/kg higher.

There is strong demand for quality assured (QA) lamb, with many plants slow to move much higher than base quotes for non-QA lamb.

Quotes are running 10c/kg behind last week’s range. Kepak and the two ICM plants are working off a base quote of €5.10/kg, with Kildare Chilling and Dawn Ballyhaunis not quoting. The all-in quotes of Ballon Meats and Moyvalley Meats at €5.30/kg puts them at the top of the quote table.

IFA national sheep chair Sean Dennehy said: “Prices are ranging from €5.30 to €5.40/kg, with top prices of €5.50/kg paid. Factories are finding it impossible to get stock at the lower quoted prices and with the kill back at 37,000 head, supplies could get very tight.”

Meanwhile, ewe quotes are variable and range from €2.60/kg to €2.70/kg. The trade in marts remains pretty steady and reports suggest top prices of €2.80/kg to €2.90/kg are being paid for higher numbers or to secure deals involving significant numbers.

Northern trade

The number of lambs drafted off farms in Northern Ireland has reduced dramatically in recent weeks.

Last week’s sheep kill was recorded at just 4,747, a further drop of 500 head on the previous week.

Quotes have dropped 5p/kg to £4.25/kg or the equivalent of €4.89/kg at 86.9p to the euro and €5.15/kg including VAT at 5.4%.

The number of sheep imported south last week for direct slaughter reduced to 4,672, with volumes imported to date down 9,007 head at 57,441 sheep.

Agents purchasing for southern plants still remain active in mart sales, but similar to the south have less purchasing power. The latest British hogget prices reported by the AHDB are an average of £4.30/kg (€5.18/kg).

Read more

Sheepwatch: ewes and lambs highlight of trade

Northern view: processors move to cut beef prices as hogget trade eases