Sheep price update: tight supplies maintaining floor under prices

There is no change in the sheep trade, with tight supplies maintaining a firm floor under prices.

Hogget numbers are falling swiftly, but still dominate throughput, accounting for over 70%.

Base quotes are unchanged at €9.20/kg plus the factories' 20c/kg quality assurance (QA) payments.

Groups and regular sellers are securing returns of €9.50/kg, while, at the top end of the market, there are still deals being done at €9.60/kg-plus for large consignments.

Factories have become more discerning regarding quality in terms of carcase weight and age.

As such, it is important to establish any potential price cuts based on carcase weight and hoggets having teeth set.

Carcase weight limits are 23kg in the main, with some deals at the top end of the market at 23.5kg.

Demand for lambs is subdued, but with hogget supplies declining factories have no option but to compete.

Base quotes are unchanged at €9.80/kg to €9.90/kg plus the plants' 20c/kg QA payments. This leaves QA lambs trading at €10/kg to €10.10/kg, with prices at the top end of the market at €10.20/kg.

Live export demand

There is some demand entering the market for lambs for exporting live.

Tullow Mart in Co Carlow is weighing lambs on Thursday on a first-come basis booked with the mart.

Demand is for fleshed lambs weighing ideally from 42kg to 47kg. There are also reports of deals being completed directly with farmers, with prices reported in the region of €4.70/kg to €4.85/kg liveweight.