Hogget prices have been rising steadily this week, as factory agents loosen the purse strings ahead of Easter. Farmers are securing prices of €5.60/kg to €5.70/kg in the main, with large feeders and producer groups negotiating €5.75/kg to €5.80/kg and even higher as the week progressed.

Hopes are rising that this trade will be sustained, with Ramadan festival in close succession to Easter this year.

Hogget numbers slaughtered were on the up last week, with the rise in prices likely tempting more farmers and feeders to sell. In total, 42,069 hoggets were slaughtered last week, up 4,356 head on the week previous. Numbers slaughtered this week will probably be up too, as more farmers take advantage of the improving trade.

Factory agents are very keen for hoggets and it shows in today’s quote table. Quotes are up 10c to 15c/kg in the main export plants compared with last week’s offerings. Irish Country Meats are now on a base of €5.30/kg (plus 10c Quality Assurance (QA)).

Kepak increased its quote by 15c/kg to €5.35/kg excluding its stronger QA payment of 15c/kg. Kildare Chilling leads the quotes on €5.50/kg (plus 10c QA).

The majority of factories are now also quoting for any spring lambs that might be available. Prices paid for lambs range from €6.50/kg to €6.60/kg. Numbers are still very small, with just under 1,000 head killed last week. It is almost three times the amount killed the week previous, but it is minuscule compared with hogget throughput.

Interestingly, Irish Country Meats increased its quote for spring lambs by 30c/kg this week and is now on a base of €6.30/kg (plus 10c QA).

Kepak and Kildare are quoting €6.30/kg (+15c QA) and €6.40/kg (+10c QA) respectively.

IFA national sheep chair Sean Dennehy said the IFA is demanding that the QA bonus for lamb be increased to 30c/kg. Some plants have moved to 15c and 20c/kg with additional market specifications.

NI

In the North, prices rose again this week, up 10p/kg. This is the second week in a row prices have risen. Farmers are now securing £4.60/kg for their hoggets (the equivalent of €5.62/kg including VAT at 5.4% at an exchange rate of €1=£0.86).

A total of 5,526 head of Northern Irish hoggets came across the border to the south for direct slaughter last week.

The British trade is also rising sharply. The latest AHDB price report shows last week’s average sheep price rising 18p/kg (21c/kg), with R3 hoggets exceeding £4.60/kg or the equivalent of €5.62/kg including VAT. The trade continues to record upward movement this week.

Cull ewes

Demand for cull ewes remains steady, with quotes from €2.70/kg to €2.90/kg. Farmers are securing €2.80/kg to €3/kg.