Sheep prices: hoggets steady in Ireland but facing pressure in Northern Ireland

The sheep trade is steady in Ireland, with base quotes for all categories unchanged.

The two Irish Country Meats (ICM) plants and Dawn Kildare are quoting a base of €9.40/kg plus their 20c/kg quality assurance (QA) payment.

Groups and regular sellers are securing returns of €9.70/kg to €9.80/kg, with reports of slightly higher being paid at the top end of the market.

Numbers remain tight and this is especially evident in mart sales, where throughput continues to dwindle.

Spring lamb numbers increasing

Spring lamb numbers are increasing, but slowly.

Base quotes in Dawn Kildare are 10c/kg firmer, reflecting an increasing appetite, with the factory offering a price of €10/kg plus its 20c/kg QA payment.

The two ICM plants are 10c/kg lower at a base of €9.90/kg plus 20c/kg QA.

Reports indicate plants not quoting officially are operating in the same region of upwards of €10/kg for spring lambs.

In contrast, pressure remains on quotes in Northern Ireland. Plants are trying to take another 10p/kg to 20p/kg out of hogget prices and are trying to purchase hoggets at £8.30/kg (€9.54/kg).

Reports indicate that agents are struggling to do deals, with higher numbers likely to be exported south for direct slaughter.

Prices in Britain have eased and a narrower differential is limiting the opportunity for exporters to operate and return a margin.

Ewe trade

The ewe trade is solid, with the general run of quotes at €5.50/kg. At the top end of the market, abattoirs most active in the ewe trade are paying €5.60/kg to €5.70/kg for ewes delivered to a tight specification.

Sellers should also query carcase weights, with the general payment terms from 43kg to 45kg, but there are some deals, with allowances of up to 50kg carcase weight.