With higher factory prices in the past week, this has led to a slightly improved trade once again for butchers’ hoggets and fleshed types. Factory agents remain very active at sales, snapping up all slaughter-fit types.

The trade for butchers’ hoggets is up again on last week. Lower numbers on offer and strong demand are the main reasons for the strong trade.

Prices are ranging mainly from €125/head to €129/head, with some prices of over €130/head being achieved in some sales.

This marks an increase of about €4 to €5/head on last week and, as a result, mart managers are recording almost full clearances at sales.

The slight improvement in factory prices has helped the mart trade also. In some areas, mart managers are reporting prices to be up a few euro per head, while others have seen a lift of up to €5/head on last week.

Hoggets from 45kg to 50kg are selling mainly from €112/head to €121/head, with some prices of up to €125/head being recorded at some sales.

Hoggets from 42kg to 44kg are ranging mainly from €102 to €109/head, with some making over €110/head. This is steady on last week, but some sales recorded a slight increase.

Store trade

In contrast, the weather is affecting the store trade, with slightly fewer buyers active at some sales. Supply is falling off also, with fewer stores on offer in sales in the past week.

Lighter hoggets from 30kg to 35kg are steady, with prices averaging from €74 to €80/head, with some prices of over €82/head being achieved. This is about steady on last week.

Those from 35kg to 38kg are selling mainly from €90 to €97/head, with some sales recording prices of up to €100/head.

This is about the same as last week. Heavier stores around 40kg are selling mainly from €99 to €102/head, which is similar to last week.

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