Marts held over the weekend and early this week have seen further sharp price rises (reason for significant price differences in table).

Competition levels have intensified as agents strengthen bidding for tight supplies of suitably finished hoggets. Prices for fleshed lambs weighing 48kg to 52kg range from €110 to €120 per head. Heavier and butcher-type lambs have seen prices rise to €125 per head and even higher for the best quality lambs.

The rising trade has been reflected down the line. Short-keep hoggets weighing 40kg+ are selling from €55 to €60 over with those weighing over 45kg selling to €65 over.

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Demand for ewes and lambs have improved with the upturn in weather conditions attracting more buyers to the ringside. Single lamb lots are selling from €110 for aged lowland ewes to €150 for ewes with a good quality lamb a few weeks old at foot. Twin lamb lots are selling from €140 for freshly lambed light lambs or aged ewes to over €200 per head for young ewes with two good quality lambs at foot. In-lamb ewes are selling from €120 for aged ewes carrying a lamb to a lamb and a half to €160 for young ewes carrying 1.8 to two lambs per ewe.

Fleshed ewes are selling from €80 to €100 with ewes with average flesh cover from €60 to €80.