There is no real change in factory lamb prices this week.

A 10c/kg differential remains between Ballon Meats, Irish Country Meats and Kildare Chilling, with base quotes for quality assured (QA) lambs ranging from €7.70/kg to €7.80/kg, while quotes in plants not officially quoting are similar.

Reports indicate that a high percentage of sellers with lower negotiating power are trading at €7.80/kg-plus, with low numbers trading below this.

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Producer groups and regular sellers continue to trade at €7.90/kg to €8/kg, with firm resistance still evident in trying to negotiate above €8/kg.

Reports indicate that higher prices are being paid, but it is very much confined to smaller numbers of sellers trading at the top end of the market.

It is also evident where groups have a higher bonus in-built for U or E grading lambs.

Weight limits also remain firmly in place at 22.5kg carcase weight, with the exception of groups having a contract to go to 23kg carcase weight. This continues to be a bone of contention with regular sellers trading outside of groups.

Throughput remains unchanged, with last week’s sheep kill recorded at 38,272 head.

Surprisingly, this is 2,532 higher than the corresponding week in 2024. The kill in 2024 dipped sharply in late November, prompting factories to increase prices upwards of 80c/kg over a space of a few weeks to attract supplies.

Some producers have asked if a similar prospect is on the horizon this year. There is a big difference in market dynamics from last year to this year.

In 2024, factories were accustomed to handling higher numbers and had completed deals based on a higher level of throughput, whereas there has been a lower level of throughput for upwards of four months and factories are basing sales on these lower levels of throughput. Therefore any increase in price will likely need to come from the market.

The ewe trade is broadly similar. Dawn Meat’s plant in Kildare has reduced its base quote from €4.50/kg plus 10c/kg QA to €4.40/kg, while the two Irish Country Meats plants have increased their all-in quote by 10c/kg to €4.40/kg.

Northern trade

The trade in Northern Ireland is still coming to terms with this week’s announcement of bluetongue identified on a farm in Co Down.

Exports for direct slaughter to factories in Ireland can take place, but exports to farms in Ireland under the breeding and production category have been suspended.

Exports to Britain and continental Europe have also been suspended, although it is expected that exports for direct slaughter in Britain should resume.

The suspension of breeding and production exports to Britain is likely to hit demand for ewes, with significant numbers exported through this avenue.

Lamb quotes are £6.40/kg, but there are reports of pressure on price due to higher numbers in the market.