Cuts to lamb prices, which have averaged in the region of 20c/kg in recent weeks, appear to have receded slightly, but pressure remains.

Opening prices on offer for quality assured lambs are in the region of €8.70/kg, while groups and regular sellers are securing €8.80/kg, with prices at the top end of the market hitting €8.90/kg.

Plants are reluctant to go beyond this price and are also firm in their stance on carcase weight, holding at 21kg.

The hogget trade is unchanged, with the majority of plants quoting €7/kg, but paying up to €7.30/kg to €7.40/kg for choice lots of hoggets meeting their desired specification.

Numbers are on a downward trend, in line with 2024 levels, but remain ahead of previous years. Hogget throughput has been pushed later in the season in the last few years on the back of later lambing.

Clarification

Producers with hoggets which have set teeth or with hoggets on hand that will kill significantly above a carcase weight of 25kg should clarify payment terms before moving sheep, with such sheep facing heavy cuts of upwards of €1/kg and, in some cases, paid at ewe prices.

The ewe trade is sluggish, with quotes ranging from €4.50/kg to €4.70/kg in the majority of plants and upwards if €5/kg in plants or abattoirs most active in the ewe trade.

The mart trade for ewes has also weakened by 20c/kg to 30c/kg, but prices still remain competitive and, in many cases, ahead of the factory trade for heavy fleshed ewes, with top prices in the region of €2.45/kg to €2.65/kg liveweight.