A combination of weather and COVID-19 has started to affect the sheep trade. Analysis of MartWatch prices shows a weakening across the country in respect of almost all weights of hoggets.

Heavy butchers’ hoggets have seen a slight easing of both demand and prices. Managers said that buyers remain active and despite the slippage in heavy hogget prices, the trade is still quite strong.

While some marts are seeing a very strong trade, there are still some weaker prices reported. Prices are ranging mainly from €125/head to €130/head, with some prices of over €135/head achieved in some sales. This amounts to a decrease of about €4/head on last week’s trade.

Factory demand is strong, but there has been a slippage in prices in the past week once again. While the upwards movement of prices has stopped in the past three weeks, there is still good demand at marts.

The trade is back on last week, with weight limits having an effect. Those from 45kg to 50kg are selling mainly from €118/head to €122/head, with some prices of up to €123/head being recorded at some sales. This is back by about €6-7/head on last week’s levels.

Hoggets from 42kg to 44kg are ranging mainly from €107 to €110/head, with some making over €112/head, which is back by about €2/head on the previous week.

Store lambs have been met with a slightly easier trade also, with weather having a large impact on demand.

Short-keep store hoggets around 40kg are selling mainly from €92 to €100/head, with the tops of €102/head being recorded. Prices are back about €5/head on last week.

Those from 35kg to 38kg are selling mainly from €80 to €90/head, with some sales recording prices of up to €92/head, which is back by up to €10/head on last week. Lighter store hoggets from 30kg to 35kg are up slightly, with prices averaging from €70 to €75/head, with some prices of over €80/head still being recorded.

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