There is no significant change in the lamb trade this week.

Factories continue to operate at an opening price of €7.80/kg for quality assured lambs.

Many groups are securing returns of €7.90/kg by means of the group payment mechanism.

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Top prices are rising to €7.95/kg to €8/kg, with a small number of lambs trading above this level.

Regular sellers or those handling significant numbers and operating outside of groups are finding it challenging to negotiate above the €7.90/kg mark.

Supplies appear to be finely balanced with demand, with no spike evident in the latter. Throughput continues to run 20% to 30% behind the corresponding period in 2024.

Mart trade

The mart trade is unchanged to possibly €1/head dearer, with agents in some sales exhibiting a slightly stronger demand for lambs.

The general run of prices for lambs weighing from 49kg to 54kg is from €165 to €173, with potential slaughter performance having a large influence on prices paid.

Some butcher-type lambs and heavier lambs are rising to and exceeding €180/head.

The ewe trade is also steady, with a significant differential between plants.

At the top end of the market, Ballon Meats continues to pay a premium price of €5.20/kg for choice ewes.

The majority of plants are a long way behind this level, with prices ranging from €4.30/kg to €4.50/kg.

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Camera at the Mart: sharp trade as ewe lambs top €200 in Ballinasloe