The lamb trade is stagnant, with quotes for quality assured lambs averaging around the €7.80/kg mark.

This ranges from €7.60/kg plus a 20c/kg quality assurance (QA) payment in the two Irish Country Meats (ICM) plants to €7.70/kg plus 10c/kg QA in Kildare Chilling and €7.80/kg all-in in Ballon Meats.

Reports indicate other plants not quoting are operating in the same region on price.

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On the ground, sellers with greater negotiating power and groups are securing returns of €7.85/kg to €7.90/kg.

There is firm resistance in exceeding this range, but there are some groups and sellers handling large numbers securing €7.95/kg to €8/kg at the top end of the market, depending on their payment agreement. However, such prices are low in the context of the overall kill.

While on the subject of the kill, last week’s sheep throughput fell by 3,958 head to 38,395. It was split evenly between lambs and ewes – there were 32,295 lambs slaughtered, down 16,642 head or 34% on the corresponding week in 2024, while ewe throughput of 5,822 head is running 2,337 head or 29% lower on the corresponding week in 2024.

Year-to-date throughput is now almost 342,000 head or 19% lower.

Ewe trade

Ewe quotes have reduced in ICM and Kildare by 20c/kg to 30c/kg on the week.

ICM is quoting €4.30/kg, down 20c/kg, while Kildare Chilling’s quote of €4.50/kg plus 10c/kg QA payment is down 30c/kg on the week.

In contrast, Ballon Meats has maintained its quote for good-quality ewes at €5.20/kg.

As touched on above, the ewe kill reduced on last week’s levels, which was well up in the context of average throughput in recent weeks.

Some agents comment that the recent increase in throughput inserted pressure on the trade, with demand for ewes variable among plants.

Northern Ireland

Base quotes in Northern Ireland are slightly firmer, with ABP Linden’s quote of £6.45/kg (€7.46/kg) up 5p/kg on the week.

Groups and regular sellers are securing 10p/kg to 15p/kg higher.

Agents are also using the offer of an extra 0.5kg in the paid carcase weight limit to try to close negotiations.

Keener demand from agents has reduced the number of sheep imported for direct slaughter to 2,415 head, almost 4,000 lower than the previous week.

The number of sheep exported to Britain for direct slaughter remains low at just 182 head.

The reduction in British price has eroded potential margins attainable.

The latest market update by the Agriculture Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) shows that lamb prices fell last week by an average of 11p/kg to £6.60/kg (€7.63/kg).

Prices at the higher end of the market are 10p/kg to 15p/kg higher, with regional differences evident.