Last week’s sheep kill fell to the lowest level in 2026 of just 31,636 head. Throughput reduced by 5,226 head on the previous week and is running over 9,200 head lower than the corresponding week in 2025.

Tight supplies are helping to support prices, although base hogget quotes were pulled by 10c/kg this week, with plants quoting €9.20/kg plus their 20c/kg quality assurance (QA) payment. Lamb numbers are slow to build, with opening quotes steady in the region of €10/kg to €10.10/kg for QA lambs.

The reduction in the sheep kill is influenced by imports from NI for direct slaughter reducing by 1,400 head to 2,205. The sheep kill also fell by 600 head to 5,716 sheep, with supplies becoming tighter. Base hogget quotes were steady to 20p/kg back at £8/kg to £8.20/kg (€9.26/kg to €9.49/kg), while lamb quotes eased in cases by 10p/kg, with quotes ranging from £8.60/kg to £8.90/kg (€9.95/kg to €10.30/kg).

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