Rising prices in the sheep trade

Prices in the sheep trade continued to rise this week.

Farmers with animals to sell have welcomed the reversal in the market trend.

Quoted prices at factories were increased by 40c/kg for spring lambs, indicating processor interest in getting more supplies through their gates this week.

The supply of new season lamb continues to increase, tempted onto the market as processors offer base quotes of up to 660c/kg, ranging from 630c/kg across the country, with the bonus for quality to be added.

The trade for hoggets has also lifted,they are being quoted for at factories at a base price of 600c-620c/kg.

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan commences today, and may be helping to boost demand for sheepmeat at the factories.

Although Ramadan involves fasting, Muslims typically break their fast by having large meals at night which friends and family are invited.

It was feared that lockdown would reduce this sheepmeat market boost. Whether this is so or not will become clearer, as Ramadan continues to May 23,

Some of the live sales at marts have resumed with arrangements that comply with Covid-19 restrictions.

Kilkenny Mart is operating a system of customers tendering prices for lambs on offer at the mart, an arrangement which is working satisfactorily for both sides.

There was a 100% clearance of the offering on Monday, with strong prices all round.

Butchers paid up to €98 over for spring lambs.

A pen of 10 weighing 42kg sold for €140. A pen of eight weighing 52kg made €145, and a pen of 18 weighing 48kg made €143.50.

The factory lots of spring lamb on offer sold for up to €79 over.