With tighter supplies on offer, the prices paid by both factory agents and butchers are starting to edge upwards.

Heavy butchers lambs over 50kg have been met with a small price increase again in the past week, with prices edging upwards by €1-2/head.

Prices paid at mart sales are ranging mainly from €96/head to €100/head, with some reports of prices of up to €104/head being paid for choice lots in certain areas.

Factory lambs from 45kg to 50kg are selling mainly from €93 to €95, with some prices of up to €96/head being recorded.

The level of flesh on lambs is the main factor affecting prices, with some heavy under-fleshed lambs receiving the lower end of prices.

Lambs from 42kg to 44kg are ranging mainly from €85/head to €87/head, with some making over €89/head in some sales. Prices for these are again up by €1 to €2/head in the past week.

Store lambs have been met with a slightly improved trade once again, with plenty of farmers actively sourcing right around the country. Prices of better-quality lambs have edged upwards as a result.

Stores

The average 40kg store is selling mainly from €78/head to €83/head, with few top-quality types making over €85/head, which is slightly better than last week.

Store lambs from 35kg to 37kg are a lightly stronger trade and are selling mainly from €73 to €79/head depending on quality with some top quality types making over €80/head.

Feeding ewes are still a steady trade and are selling from €60 to €70/head with fleshed ewes selling mainly from €80 to €100/head. Some top quality heavy ewes are still selling up to €110/head.