Lamb quotes for Tuesday are steady to 20c/kg lower. Dawn Kildare continues to quote a base of €9.50/kg plus their 20c/kg quality assurance (QA) payment while the two Irish Country Meats (ICM) plants in Navan and Camolin have reduced by 20c/kg to the same price.
Groups and regular sellers are securing returns of €9.80/kg with agents trying to keep a lid on price at this level.
Reports indicate that numbers coming on stream have eased following a big push to get lambs on to the market ahead of last week’s Islamic religious festival of Eid al-Adha.
The relatively low supplies is helping to keep a floor under demand for hoggets with base quotes unchanged at €9/kg plus a 20c/kg QA payment.
Reports indicate that specialist finishers and regular sellers are still securing €9.30/kg to €9.40/kg but producers handling smaller numbers are facing challenges negotiating above €9.20/kg.
Price prospects for the week ahead will depend on how the market adjusts after the recent spike in demand. This will determine if prices follow a seasonal downward trend or resist downward pressure.
The ewe trade is steady with prices ranging in the main from €5/kg to €5.20/kg.
At the top end of the market prices are rising to €5.50/kg upwards. The mart trade remains solid for cull ewes with a high percentage of ewes selling from €2.30/kg to €2.50/kg liveweight and small numbers rising to €2.60/kg plus.
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