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The past week has seen a slight slippage in the prices of heavy hoggets, but factory demand remains strong and steady, with little change in prices in the past week. Mart managers have said that buyers remain active and despite the slippage in heavy hogget prices, the trade is very strong for the small numbers available.
Heavy butchers’ hoggets have seen prices hold for the last two weeks in a row, but the past week has seen prices ease slightly. Prices in the main are ranging from €130/head to €135/head, with some prices of over €137/head being achieved in some sales. While most prices are holding, some marts have seen a slippage in recent days.
Factory demand is strong and prices are holding well right across the country. While the upwards movement of prices has stopped in the past two weeks, farmers are very happy with the trade. The trade is steady and factory agents are still competing strongly for all types. Those from 45kg to 50kg are selling mainly from €123/head to €128/head, with some prices of up to €132/head being recorded at some sales. Hoggets from 42kg to 44kg are ranging mainly from €107 to €115/head, with some making over €116/head, which is back by about €2/head on last week’s levels.
Short-keep store hoggets around 40kg are selling mainly from €97 to €103/head, which is similar to last week. Those from 35kg to 38kg are selling mainly from €84 to €93/head, with some sales recording prices of up to €99/head, which is steady on last week.
Lighter hoggets from 30kg to 35kg are up slightly, with prices averaging from €75 to €88/head and some prices of over €89/head still being recorded. Cull ewes are selling mainly from €100 to €135/head at most sales.
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