Lamb quotes remain unchanged, but the majority of factories in Ireland have increased their carcase weight payment limit by 0.5kg to 22.5kg.
This leaves base quotes in the two Irish Country Meats (ICM) plants and in Dawn Meats at €7.70/kg plus their 20c/kg quality assurance (QA) payment to 22.5kg carcase weight.
Groups and regular sellers continue to secure €8/kg in the main, with some higher-priced deals paid to sellers and agents handling large numbers.
This is evident from the purchasing power of agents in mart sales with a keen appetite in particular for quality well-fleshed lambs. Such lambs are selling above equivalent factory prices, although the value of top-quality lambs traded in factories may be boosted by the carcase weight limit increasing by 0.5kg.
NI trade firm
The trade in Northern Ireland is firm following last week’s rise in base quotes of 10p/kg to 20p/kg.
Base quotes remain in the region of £6.80/kg (€7.91/kg), with top deals touching on £7/kg where agents are competing with exporters for significant numbers.
Carcase weight limits remain 1kg behind Irish plants at 21.5kg carcase weight, but sellers with greater negotiating power are being paid to 22kg in many cases.
Ewe trade
The ewe trade remains subdued, with opening quotes in the majority of plants at €4.50/kg.
A high percentage of ewes are trading from €4.50/kg to €4.70/kg, with Ballon Meats and other abattoirs specialising in the ewe trade paying upwards of €5/kg.
Sellers should be careful of ewes lacking flesh cover, with significant price deductions for ewes deemed underweight and under-fleshed.
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