Spanish sheep farmers continue to enjoy farmgate prices which are running at the highest level of the main sheep producing nations in Europe.

The latest Bord Bia sheep price dashboard shows prices running at €9.54/kg for the week of 20 September 2025, over 80c/kg higher than prices paid in France.

The trade in Spain is being underpinned by a sharp decline in throughput and demand exceeding supply with prices running over 60c/kg higher than the corresponding period in 2024.

ADVERTISEMENT

In contrast, farmgate prices in France are running almost 80c/kg lower than in 2024 with demand reported as being stagnant.

Irish price

Prices in Britain are the equivalent of €7.73/kg which is about 13c/kg above the corresponding week in 2024.

This is ahead of the Irish price of €7.47/kg, which does not include the flat rate VAT addition of 5% for farmers not registered for VAT.

The differential between prices in Northern Ireland and Britain has re-emerged in the last few weeks after narrowing to just 20c/kg in early September.

This may open up the opportunity for live exports to resume in greater volumes.

Southern hemisphere

The differential between prices in Europe and Australia has reduced to its lowest level for quite some time.

The latest Australian lamb price reported is the equivalent of €6.67/kg, almost €2/kg stronger than in 2024.

Demand is currently outstripping supplies, with the flow of lambs on to the market curtailed by the knock-on effects of significant drought in some regions.

Prices are also up in New Zealand by 85c/kg when compared to 2024 but at €5.21/kg it leaves sheep producers trading into a sluggish market.

Reports indicate that the breeding ewe flock is forecast to continue to fall on the back of poor producer sentiment.

Current prices

Getting back to this week’s trade - there is no change with opening prices for quality assured lambs at €7.80/kg.

Groups and regular sellers are trading at €7.85/kg to €7.90/kg with some sellers and groups securing 5c/kg to 10c/kg higher. Demand remains finely balanced, with no great appetite among agents to increase throughput.

It is a similar situation in Northern Ireland with base quotes averaging in the region of £6.45/kg. Some plants are trying to talk quotes back to £6.40/kg but, at present, there has been no real traction gained with the majority of sellers trading at £6.45/kg to £6.50/kg and again higher prices running 5p/kg to 10p/kg higher.