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Both Kepak and Kildare Chilling have increased their quote by 5c/kg, which brings them to bases of €4.75/kg and €4.70/kg respectively.
The increases further builds on upward movement in the quotes over the past three weeks. Farmers are being paid €4.75/kg to €4.80/kg in the main.
More farmers with a number of fleshed lambs ready for slaughter are negotiating €4.85/kg. At the top of the market, producer groups are being paid €4.90/kg when all bonus payments are taken into account.
With news of the above increases, bargaining power is definitely established on the farmer’s side. Prices over €4.80/kg will be more attainable now, especially with competition between factories building.
The variation that had become apparent in the market last week between east and west has since balanced out. So, looking at the quote table, Kepak leads with its base quote of €4.75/kg (+ 5c quality assurance (QA)). This is followed by Kildare Chilling, which is on a base of €4.70/kg (+ 10c QA).
The difference in QA payments brings the two level in price for farmers participating in the QA scheme.
Irish Country Meats remains on its base quote of €4.60/kg (+ 10c QA), lagging behind the other main export plants. Both Ballon Meats and Moyvalley have all-in quotes of €4.70/kg.
Factory agents are urging farmers to continue to monitor lambs for cleanliness before slaughter.
Excess daggings around the tail and cut lines should be removed and, ideally, lambs should be sent for slaughter dry.
This may mean housing overnight on a bed of straw. Lambs can also become dirty during transport and agents are asking farmers to fast lambs prior to haulage.
NI
The number of sheep imported south for direct slaughter last week jumped back up to 10,443 following a dip to 8,083 in the previous four-day week. Total numbers imported to date at 367,215 are up 32,156 head for the year to date. Northern lamb quotes are steady at £3.80/kg. This is the equivalent of €4.38/kg, with sterling strengthening to 86.8p to the euro, and €4.61/kg including VAT at 5.4%.
Slaughterings in the UK are well back on last year and are estimated to be down 5% this year. The outdoor lambing flocks were really affected by the snow last March, which pushed up mortality rates.
Cull ewes
Cull ewe prices are becoming that bit more positive, with more farmers securing €2.60/kg. In the marts, greater demand is becoming apparent, with more ewes making over €100/head. The factory quotes continue to range between €2.40/kg to €2.60/kg.
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