There has been more bite in the trade for lambs over the last week, but factories remain committed to keeping prices in check, with base quotes unchanged.

The two Irish Country Meats (ICM) plants in Camolin and Navan continue to quote a base of €8/kg plus their 20c/kg quality assurance (QA) payment, while Ballon Meats remains on an all-in price of €8.20/kg.

Reports indicate Kildare Chilling is operating in the region of €8.20/kg plus 10c/kg QA, with Kepak opening negotiations at €8/kg plus 15c/kg QA.

Neither plant are officially quoting, nor is Dawn Meats Ballyhaunis plant, which is said to be on a base of €8/kg plus 10c/kg QA.

Producer groups are securing returns for R grading lambs of €8.30/kg to €8.35/kg, with more regular sellers with greater negotiating power having success dealing at such prices.

Prices at the higher end of the market are rising to €8.40/kg, with agents pushing above this and active in mart sales.

Mart managers report that, despite handling finished lambs from farmers opting to market lambs live, supplies remain tight.

This is indicative of the overall situation, with last week’s sheep kill falling by almost 2,000 head and recorded at just 38,232 head.

The low throughput level has left many factories operating on reduced kill days or part kill days and facing higher processing costs.

There were just 948 hoggets in last week’s kill, but factories are happy to keep handling any supplies coming on stream, with ewe numbers tight at 3,630 ewes and rams. Hogget quotes remain at €7/kg, with prices ranging anywhere from €7.20/kg to €7.50/kg.

Ewe trade

There is also more bite for ewes, with cull ewe numbers appearing in mart sales much tighter.

A wide range in ewe quotes remains, with plants quoting from €4.50/kg to upwards of €5/kg. Therefore, it is worth exploring the most lucrative market, with the live trade a good alternative for farmers struggling to negotiate directly with factories.

At the top end of the market, prices of €5.20/kg to €5.30/kg plus have been reported for ewes delivering high-quality carcases.

Northern Ireland

Competition in the trade in Northern Ireland remains high, with over 4,000 sheep exported live to Britain and 2,576 for direct slaughter to Ireland.

This increased competition has underpinned a 20p/kg jump in price, with base quotes for Thursday rising to £6.90/kg (€8.02/kg). Regular sellers and agents are securing north of £7/kg (€8.12/kg).

Prices in Britain are running £1/kg higher than the corresponding period in 2024. Throughput, like Ireland, is significantly lower, with the AHDB reporting 16% fewer lambs recorded in its price analysis compared with July 2024.