The trade in the past week has been another positive one. Numbers on offer overall have been small, which has helped the trade, although mart managers are expecting larger numbers on offer in the next two weeks due to weather and prices.

However, demand from butchers and factory agents is very strong, which should underline prices.

Heavy butchers’ lambs over 50kg have been met with a steady trade, while some marts have seen an improved trade yet again.

Prices in the main are ranging from €114/head to €122/head, with prices of over €125/head being achieved in some areas. The factory trade has seen strong demand from agents and prices have increased slightly once again.

Lambs from 45kg to 50kg are selling mainly from €110/head to €117/head, with some prices of up to €119/head being recorded at some sales, but the number traded at these levels are low.

Lambs from 42kg to 44kg are meeting firm demand from finishers. Prices are ranging mainly from €95 to €103/head, with some making over €105/head.

The store trade remains strong, with a slight increase in the price paid for stores in the past week.

Those from 30kg to 35kg are selling mainly from €76 to €78/head, with some making over €80/head.

This marks a very slight increase in prices of €1 to €2/head on last week.

Those from 35kg to 38kg are selling mainly from €90 to €93/head, with some sales recording prices of up to €95/head.

Again, this marks only a very slight increase in prices of about €3/head on last week. Heavier stores around 40kg are selling mainly from €95 to €100/head.

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