Strong factory and butcher demand has resulted in the prices of factory-fit and heavy hoggets holding steady. However, the adverse weather is having a slightly negative effect on store hoggets.

At the top of the market, the trade for butchers’ hoggets is steady, with average prices unchanged on last week, ranging mainly from €119/head to €124/head, with some prices of over €130/head in some areas, but the number of these is small.

The factory trade has seen strong demand once again. Prices are holding and mart managers have said that agents are still very active for all fleshed hoggets.

Hoggets from 45kg to 50kg are selling mainly from €115/head to €118/head, with some prices of up to €120/head at some sales. In some cases, prices are back by €1/head, but, in the main, prices are unchanged.

The higher factory quotes again this week should add a little more bite in the trade. Hoggets from 42kg to 44kg are ranging mainly from €100 to €106/head, with some making over €109/head. This is steady on last week.

The store trade remains very strong, but there are slightly fewer buyers at some marts on account of the weather. This is leading to a slight drop in prices in the past few days.

Lighter hoggets from 30kg to 35kg are steady, with prices averaging from €76 to €80/head and over €84 achieved. Those from 35kg to 38kg are selling mainly from €89 to €91/head, with some sales seeing highs of €95, about €2/head lower on last week. Heavier stores around 40kg are selling mainly from €99 to €102/head, similar to last week.

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