Factories slash hogget prices by up to 35c/kg for second week

The live trade for the hoggets at the marts is also reporting a quieter scene as they are being replaced by spring lambs.

The clouds hanging over the trade for hoggets are continuing to darken this week, with the factories cutting another hefty slice off the prices on offer.

The skies are brighter over the lamb trade as the changeover in supply gains momentum and prices are holding firm, with good interest reported from the processing plants.

The hogget prices have been slashed by 30-35c/kg — the second consecutive week of falling prices for the older stock — as factory quotes slip to range 735-745c/kg, with regular suppliers being offered 750c/kg.

Suppliers are reporting some deals at 10-15c above the quoted prices, particularly at the factories, where supply is tight and orders are putting pressure on getting more through their gates.

Spring lambs continue to operate on a base of 900c/kg plus the quality bonus at most of the factories, with some reports of 885–895c/kg being offered.

Demand is continuing to benefit from orders coinciding with the Muslim religious festival, Eid al-Adha, which runs to June 6 and is always relied upon for a boost to the trade at this season of the year.

The live trade for the hoggets at the marts is also reporting a quieter scene as they are being replaced by spring lambs.

Entries at the marts have also eased. There were 350 head on offer for a small sale at Kilkenny on Monday, where the spring lambs were in good demand. Butchers paid a leading price of €227 for a pen of 10 weighing 48kg.

A pen of 10 weighing 47kg sold for €210, while nine at 49kg also made €210, and 10 weighing 46kg sold for €195. The hoggets sold for up to €133 over.