Sheep producers welcome market stability

There is a slight upward trend in the market for the sheep at some of the factories this week with the demand holding stable.

The quoted base price at most of the processors is 500c/kg plus the usual bonus payments for quality as applicable to be added on. One of the processors has opted to increase the base to 520c/kg plus quality bonus and thee is also an all-in price of 540c/kg at one of the processors.

On the ground the situation is that the factories are paying 540-550c/kg for the hoggets according to the reports from around the country.

At present, supplies are not over plentiful and the processors are having to top up the base price to maintain the intake at the factories.

The sheep trade was also very positive at the opening mart sales for the week on Monday where the numbers on offer were also on the low side.

There was 350 head on offer at Corrin Mart where the trade was described as “good” with the butchers hoggets selling for up to €80 over.

The prices for the butchers hoggets ranging from €57 over. The top price was paid for a pen of six weighing 55kg which sold for €135. A pen of 14 weighing 56kg also made €135. The factory hoggets ranged to €67 over.

There was also a small entry at Kilkenny Mart for Monday’s sale where there was 300 on offer. The butchers hoggets sold for up to €68 over. A pen of ten weighing 57kg sold for €125, a pen of 10 weighing 60kg sold for €127 and a pen of 10 weighing 52kg sold for €120. The factory hoggets sold for up to €59 over.