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Throughput increased marginally by 1,487 head, but remains a massive 18,613 head below the corresponding week in 2023.
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The total number of sheep processed in Department of Agriculture approved slaughter plants is now running over 250,000 lower than in 2023.
An increasing number of lambs are trading upwards of €7.80/kg with deals at the top end of the market hitting €8/kg.
Plants are working off opening quotes of €7.70/kg for quality assured lambs, but an increasing number of producers are securing returns ranging from €7.80/kg to €7.90/kg.
A 7.9% decline in the UK's prime sheep kill has led to a major drop in the tonnage of domestic lamb and hogget during 2024.
The sheep kill profile continues to include a higher percentage of lighter lambs, with agents working hard to source better-quality lambs and willing to pay higher for quality lots.
The national sheep kill was back more than 7% in the first eight months of this year compared to the same period last year.
Factories are all reporting tighter supplies of good-quality fleshed lambs, while poor slaughter performance and price pressure has slowed drafting.
Prices remain unchanged, with lambs selling in the main from €7.20/kg to €7.35/kg and ewes from €3.70/kg to €4/kg.
Higher ewe throughput has lifted the kill above 60,000 head for only the second time since spring, with good-quality fleshed lambs still sought after.
