There is no change in the lamb trade, with supplies coming on stream finely balanced with demand.

Opening quotes for quality assured (QA) lambs are in the region of €7.80/kg, with most plants working from a similar starting point.

Regular sellers and groups are receiving returns of €7.85/kg to €7.90/kg, with low numbers exceeding this range and rising to €7.95/kg to €8/kg.

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The latter prices are typically confined to groups with a higher bonus payment structure or sellers or agents handling large numbers and possessing extra negotiating power.

Live trade

There is no big change in the live trade, but some mart managers are reporting more bite.

Slaughter-fit sheep weighing from 49kg to 52kg are selling on average from €165 to €172, while the keener appetite for well-fleshed and heavier lambs reported by some mart managers is witnessing some top-quality lots rising to €180 and on occasion higher for a small number of lots in a sale.

Factory quotes for ewes have stabilised following last week’s cuts.

A number of plants are quoting €4.30/kg to €4.60/kg, while plants or abattoirs specialising in the ewe trade continue to pay upwards of €5/kg for top-quality ewes meeting desired specifications.