There are some contrasting reports from mart sales, as the trade for stores remains firm, with increased numbers on offer meeting keen demand.
This is in contrast to the trade for finished lambs, which has been reported as variable in some marts, with agents trying to insert downward pressure on price.
A number of mart managers also reported that some sales appeared to ease slightly in price, but commented that more variability in quality was also a factor at play.
This was seen in 49kg to 50kg lambs selling from as low as €160 to €165 for ram lambs lacking flesh cover to upwards of €175 to €180 for well-fleshed young lambs with good slaughter potential.
Heavier lambs in some sales exceeded this range, but numbers were small and confined to good-quality ewe lambs and butcher-type lambs with prices rising to €190 to €200 per head.
Store lamb prices remain unchanged. Lighter stores weighing 30kg to 35kg are trading from €3.80/kg to €4.40/kg depending on condition, with heavier lots trading from €3.60/kg to €3.90/kg on average and rising above the €4/kg mark for top-quality batches or lots possessing nice-quality ewe lambs.
Light crossbred and lowland lambs weighing less than 30kg have recorded prices of €4.30/kg to €4.50/kg-plus, with these lambs recording the greatest movement in terms of price per kilo when compared with the corresponding period in 2024. Presentation is reported as having a big influence on prices paid.
The mart trade seems to have firmed for ewes, with numbers in short supply. Mart managers report a higher number of heavier ewes weighing from 85kg to 95kg-plus selling from €2.70/kg to €2.90/kg, with the best-quality lots topping the €3/kg mark.
Average-quality lots are selling from €2.20/kg to €2.50/kg, with very few lowland and fleshed crossbred ewes selling back to less than €2/kg liveweight.
Numbers of hill ewes are also small, with prices starting at €1/kg to €1.30/kg for light carcase ewes or those lacking flesh cover and rising to €1.60/kg to €1.80/kg for heavy carcase ewes.
There are some contrasting reports from mart sales, as the trade for stores remains firm, with increased numbers on offer meeting keen demand.
This is in contrast to the trade for finished lambs, which has been reported as variable in some marts, with agents trying to insert downward pressure on price.
A number of mart managers also reported that some sales appeared to ease slightly in price, but commented that more variability in quality was also a factor at play.
This was seen in 49kg to 50kg lambs selling from as low as €160 to €165 for ram lambs lacking flesh cover to upwards of €175 to €180 for well-fleshed young lambs with good slaughter potential.
Heavier lambs in some sales exceeded this range, but numbers were small and confined to good-quality ewe lambs and butcher-type lambs with prices rising to €190 to €200 per head.
Store lamb prices remain unchanged. Lighter stores weighing 30kg to 35kg are trading from €3.80/kg to €4.40/kg depending on condition, with heavier lots trading from €3.60/kg to €3.90/kg on average and rising above the €4/kg mark for top-quality batches or lots possessing nice-quality ewe lambs.
Light crossbred and lowland lambs weighing less than 30kg have recorded prices of €4.30/kg to €4.50/kg-plus, with these lambs recording the greatest movement in terms of price per kilo when compared with the corresponding period in 2024. Presentation is reported as having a big influence on prices paid.
The mart trade seems to have firmed for ewes, with numbers in short supply. Mart managers report a higher number of heavier ewes weighing from 85kg to 95kg-plus selling from €2.70/kg to €2.90/kg, with the best-quality lots topping the €3/kg mark.
Average-quality lots are selling from €2.20/kg to €2.50/kg, with very few lowland and fleshed crossbred ewes selling back to less than €2/kg liveweight.
Numbers of hill ewes are also small, with prices starting at €1/kg to €1.30/kg for light carcase ewes or those lacking flesh cover and rising to €1.60/kg to €1.80/kg for heavy carcase ewes.
SHARING OPTIONS