The lamb trade remains static, with opening prices for quality assured (QA) lambs in the region of €7.80/kg.

The two Irish Country Meats (ICM) plants continue to quote a base of €7.60/kg plus 20c/kg QA payment, while Kildare Chilling remains on €7.70/kg plus 10c/kg QA and Ballon Meats on €7.80/kg all-in.

Many groups are securing returns of €7.90/kg by means of the group payment mechanism, with this price purchasing a high percentage of lambs traded.

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There are some groups with a higher payment mechanism securing returns of €8/kg to €8.05/kg, but outside of this, such prices are generally confined to agents or sellers handling large numbers and possessing greater negotiating power.

Supplies appear to be finely balanced with demand, with factories content to handle numbers coming on stream.

There seemed to be a greater appetite last week in some areas for lambs and this is likely to have contributed to the sheep kill increasing by 2,500 head to reach 40,601. Ewe throughput increased by about 800 head.

Overall, the kill continues to lag way behind 2024 levels, with last week’s throughput down by 18,110 head or 31% on the corresponding week in 2024.

If this level of shortfall continues, the kill will be approaching almost 400,000 head lower by the end of the week.

The ewe trade is steady in the main, but Kildare Chilling has reduced its quote by 10c/kg to €4.30/kg plus 10c/kg QA payment for ewes above 35kg. The price for ewes under 35kg carcase weight is €3.90/kg plus 10c/kg QA.

At the top end of the market, Ballon Meats continues to pay a premium price of €5.20/kg for choice ewes.

Sellers should also note that some plants are imposing heavy cuts of upwards of 80c/kg to €1/kg for ewes killing at a poor fat cover or at a light carcase weight. If in doubt, this should be clarified before moving them.

Northern Ireland

The trade in Northern Ireland is steady to 5p/kg lower, with some plants trying to enforce downward pressure.

Dunbia is quoting a base price of £6.50/kg or the equivalent of €7.52/kg, while ABP Linden has reduced its base quote for Thursday by 5p/kg to £6.45/kg (€7.46/kg).

Groups and regular sellers are being paid 10p/kg to 15p/kg higher, with agents fighting to keep hold of more sheep.

This is seen in the number of sheep exported for direct slaughter in plants in Ireland reducing by about 1,500 head to 3,549 head.

Meanwhile, the latest Agriculture Horticulture Development Board sheep price report shows prices in Britain increasing by an average of 12.5p/kg last week and recorded at £6.82/kg (€7.89/kg).

This is positive for farmers in Ireland and Northern Ireland and improves competitiveness in key export markets.