Sheep price update: movement restrictions denting NI sheep prices

The sheep trade in Northern Ireland (NI) is being hit hard by the recent confirmation of bluetongue virus and the associated movement restrictions.

Reports from mart sales held in recent days show lamb prices back by upwards of £8 to £15/head.

Agents active in exporting sheep to Britain are absent from the trade, while those exporting sheep to be slaughtered direct in Ireland are said to be exhibiting a poorer appetite for sheep.

Factory agents purchasing sheep for slaughter in plants in NI are also quieter, with a longer lead-in emerging from booking to slaughter and uncertainty around further price cuts adding to an anxiousness entering the trade.

Factory base quotes have reduced by another 15p/kg on the end of last week, with most plants trying to purchase lambs at an opening offer of £6.20/kg (€7.03/kg).

Some agents are also conditioning sellers to further price cuts before the week is out.

This is also amplifying numbers, with some sellers trying to move sheep quicker.

Farm organisations are calling on factories to support the sector at this challenging time, highlighting that moves to pull prices are only exacerbating the problem.

Trade in Ireland

Base quotes in plants in Ireland are unchanged. The two Irish Country Meats (ICM) plants continue to quote a base of €7.60/kg plus their 20c/kg quality assurance (QA) payment.

Ballon Meats is quoting €7.80kg, all-in and Kildare Chilling is quoting €7.60/kg plus its 10c/kg QA payment.

A high percentage of lambs traded from producers with lower negotiating power are trading in the region of €7.80/kg, while groups and regular sellers are being paid €7.90/kg to €8/kg.

Reports indicate there are fewer sellers capable of topping the €8/kg mark, which is also evident in some mart sales in a slightly more subdued trade for heavier lambs.