It has been another challenging week for marketing hoggets, with prices pulled in the main by 10c/kg.

The only exception to this is Ballon Meats, which continues to quote an all-in price of €7.80/kg.

The two Irish Country Meats (ICM) plants have reduced their base quote by 10c/kg to a base of €7.50/kg plus 20c/kg quality assurance (QA) payment.

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Official quotes beyond this are sparse, but reports indicate that other plants have also reduced their base hogget quote by 10c/kg to €7.50/kg or an opening price of €7.60/kg for quality assured hoggets.

Groups and regular sellers are trading above this level, with prices ranging from €7.70/kg to €7.80/kg.

Reports indicate that sellers with greater negotiating power are facing firm resistance above this price, but prices of €7.90/kg have been paid at the top end of the market.

At the lower end of the market, producers handling small numbers and in a poorer bargaining position are being quoted €7.60/kg to €7.65/kg, with some agents exhibiting a lukewarm appetite for sheep.

Some producers have also delayed drafting in response to lower prices.

This is reflected in a drop in throughput, with last week’s sheep kill falling by over 3,000 head to 36,333 head, including 2,944 ewes and rams. This is comparable to the corresponding week in 2025.

Some procurement agents are calling on producers not to kill sheep not fit for slaughter and to prioritise drafting of hoggets at risk of being deemed overweight or overfat.

Northern Ireland

The trade in Northern Ireland is also facing downward pressure, with base quotes falling by 10p/kg on last week.

This leaves the majority of plants trying to open negotiations at £6.20/kg or the equivalent of €7.16/kg.

Groups and regular sellers are trading in the region of £6.30/kg (€7.27/kg).

ABP Linden has reduced its base quote for Thursday by a greater level of 20p/kg to £6.10/kg (€7.04/kg) but is quoting a 0.5kg higher carcase weight of 22.5kg.

Last week’s sheep kill also reduced, falling by about 940 head to 8,348.

The number of sheep exported to Ireland for direct slaughter increased by about 700 head to 3,563 sheep, while, in contrast, the number of sheep exported to Britain for direct slaughter reduced by about 950 head to 1,151.

Ewe trade

There is no change to ewe quotes, which continue to range in the main from €4.30/kg to €4.50/kg.

Numbers remain relatively tight, but demand is highly variable between plants.

At the top end of the market, plants or abattoirs specialising in the ewe trade are paying €5/kg for ewes delivered to a tight specification. Beware of lower prices in some factories for lighter carcase ewes or ewes deemed under-fleshed.