This is a subscriber-only article
The trade for hoggets is becoming variable, as factory agents seem to be putting more emphasis on sourcing spring lambs.
There is pressure being applied by some of the export plants to curtail the price paid for hoggets over the past few days. However, there is still a realisation there that hoggets may be needed as an insurance policy if spring lamb supplies are inconsistent in the weeks ahead.
Most farmers are securing prices of €5.20/kg to €5.30/kg for their hoggets, with higher prices of €5.40/kg to €5.50/kg becoming a little harder to negotiate. The quality of hoggets is having a big bearing on the price paid.
Some factories are imposing severe price cuts on hoggets killing out over 25kg. Farmers are being urged to draft hoggets regularly to avoid a situation where heavy price cuts are being applied.
Irish Country Meats (ICM) is holding its quote for hoggets at €5.00/kg (+10c QA). Moyvalley has increased its all-in quote by 10c/kg to a price of €5.50/kg. Ballon Meats is holding steady with its all-in price of €5.50/kg. However, both Kepak and Kildare Chilling are not quoting for hoggets this week.
The hogget kill was well up last week, which would be in line with increased buying ahead of Ramadan. In total, 35,632 head were killed, up 6,731 compared with the same period in 2018.
However, it is worth noting that the cumulative hogget kill so far in 2019 is down 87,384 head compared with 2018, which is a huge drop. Unfortunately, the reduced numbers did not equate to improved prices this year, with prices well behind 2018 levels.
Spring lambs
More factories are turning their attention to spring lambs, with numbers presented for sale on a weekly basis increasing and encouraging factory agents to make the slow switch from hoggets.
Most farmers are securing €6.30/kg to €6.40/kg, with some groups negotiating up to €6.50/kg. However, factory agents are warning that there are large numbers of very heavy spring lambs being presented for slaughter.
They are asking farmers to draft these lambs regularly to avoid heavy lambs going through the system.
There has been no big change in the quotes for spring lambs, with Kildare Chilling continuing to lead at €6.30/kg (+10c QA).
Ballon Meats has started quoting for spring lambs this week and is offering an all-in price of €6.20/kg, while Moyvalley is quoting €6.50/kg.
IFA national sheep committee chair Sean Dennehy said this is a critically important period for the sheepmeat sector and it is vital that factories do not undermine the market in the weeks and months ahead.
Cull ewes
Prices paid for cull ewes range from €3.00/kg for heavy ewes and €3.10/kg for lighter-type ewes. Kildare Chilling reduced its quote by 10c/kg for ewes and is now on €2.70/kg (+10c QA).
SHARING OPTIONS: