After last week’s increase of 1,300 head of sheep, a further jump of 4,500 was witnessed this week, as more sheep come on to the market.

The seasonality of our breeding season would normally see numbers start to increase now regardless, but this is being further driven by tight grass supplies on some farms, particularly in eastern and southern counties.

The two Irish Country Meats (ICM) plants saw a slippage in price earlier in the week of 10c/kg, with a further all for midweek quoted to put them at €8.60/kg plus a 20c/kg quality assurance payment, while Ballon Meats is also down 20c/kg on last week with its quoted price now at €8.80/kg all-in.

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Dawn Ballyhaunis is not quoting for either lambs or ewes, while Kildare returned no quote for lambs.

Producer groups or those with significant negotiating power are generally working off quotes 10c to 15c/kg above the quoted prices, though negotiations this week are tougher with agents.

Despite the fall-off in prices in factories, agents appear to be still active ringside for quality spring lambs.

Recent weaning and drought conditions are still having an effect on carcase weights and kill-out percentages, with factories still handling a large number of lighter carcases.

Lambs are still availing of a 22kg carcase weight limit this week, with lambs not hitting target carcase specs a bigger issue than over-heavy lambs.

Hogget numbers have fallen this week, with less than 500 slaughtered, with many factories now not quoting for them due to good levels of spring lamb hitting the market.

Ewes

Ewes remain a strong trade, with little to no movement in quotes from factories.

Ballon Meats leads the way with a quote of €5.50/kg, unchanged from last week, while ICM also remains unchanged at €5/kg.

The Dawn Ballyhaunis plant – as stated above – is not quoting for either ewes or lambs, while the Kildare plant has quoted for ewes, with €5.20/kg on offer.

Northern Ireland

Northern sellers have also been affected by price cuts over the last week or so, with 20p to 40p/kg slashed from quoted prices.

Factories looked to reel back on price increases earlier in July, with ABP having cut prices by 40p/kg in the week to £7.10 (€8.26/kg).

Dunbia has been less ferocious in cuts, with 20p/kg cut to give a quoted price of £7.20/kg (€8.60/kg).

The downturn in base quote in Northern Ireland is providing further scope for exports to mainland Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

Regular sellers and groups are negotiating 10p/kg to 20p/kg above the base prices being quoted, but, similar to the south, it is becoming more challenging.

Prices in Britain have also eased, dropping 20p/kg from earlier in the week, and are in the region of £7.70/kg to £7.90/kg (€9.30/kg to €9.42/kg) midweek.