The sheep trade has sprung into life this week with factory agents working overtime to source higher numbers of hoggets and secure limited supplies of spring lambs coming on stream. The high level of competition in the market has underpinned hogget prices, which rose by 20c/kg to 30c/kg on last week’s levels.

The lift in demand is being driven by factories filling orders for the Easter market

There have been even bigger price increases where large batches of upwards of 100 head were concerned. Prices range on average from €5.80/kg to €6/kg at the top of the market with smaller batches trading from €5.60/kg to €5.80/kg.

The lift in demand is being driven by factories filling orders for the Easter market and is helped by much tighter supplies.

The strength in demand is reflected in agents, butchers and wholesalers looking for marts to act as collection points

The spring lamb trade has also strengthened, albeit not with the same price increase as for hoggets. Prices have improved to the tune of 15c/kg to 20c/kg with lambs trading on average from €6/kg to €6.20/kg, while top prices are reported as rising to €6.30/kg or slightly higher.

The strength in demand is reflected in agents, butchers and wholesalers looking for marts to act as collection points and purchasing sheep on a tender process or on a price per kilo.

Kilkenny auctioneer George Candler also reported a successful sale with spring lambs selling to a top price of €3/kg

Carnew Mart’s David Quinn reported a much livelier trade, with fleshed hoggets weighing between 49kg and 54kg selling on average from €128 to €132.

Kilkenny auctioneer George Candler also reported a successful sale with spring lambs selling to a top price of €3/kg and hoggets trading up to €2.40/kg liveweight.

Next week

Factories are slow to offer quotes for next week’s trade but producers will be hoping the tightness in supply and fact that the Muslim festival of Ramadan is starting on 23 April will help underpin prices.