Improvement in trade in Britain and France

The trade for hoggets is a bit more positive at the factories, this week, reflecting the improvement for sheepmeat, over the past week, in both Britain and France.

The factory quotes were up by 3-8 cents/ kg (1p-3p/lb) for Tuesday, relative to the same day last week — most of the factories unchanged from the opening quotes on Monday, while Kildare Chilling was 5 cents/ kg (2p/lb) stronger on Tuesday at a base of 383 cents/ kg (137p/lb).

Dawn at Ballyhaunis and Kepak at Hacketstown were on a base of 381 cents/ kg for Monday and Tuesday. Intake at the factories is now around par with the same time last year. In the marts, there was an improved trade for the hoggets, with prices up by €4/head at up to €48 over €/kg being paid for the tops. The trade in Britain continued to improve through last week with supplies also on the increase.