Lamb prices steady but mart trade remains flat

At live sales this week, there was less life in the trade for smaller entries, and prices were described as disappointing.

Within an overall stable lamb market, there are mixed reports — more life on the factory side this week, while the live mart trade is being labelled as disappointing.

Prices quoted by factories are broadly unchanged for lambs, with good interest from plants in securing supplies, and more factories offering higher cut-off weights as an incentive.

Quoted prices are ranging 750–760c/kg plus a quality bonus of 10–20c/kg, bringing an all-in run around 770c/kg.

However, suppliers to factories report 780–785c/kg is generally being paid, with some reports of up to 790c/kg for larger numbers or higher-quality lots and good factory interest in getting supplies.

Supplies to factories remain lower than this time last year, and prices are weaker than in 2024.

At live sales this week, there was less life in the trade for smaller entries, and prices were described as disappointing.

Kilkenny Mart auctioneer George Candler summed up the situation:

“Numbers remain small here in Kilkenny, with trade far from exciting, except perhaps for the store lamb sector. At present-day returns, prices being paid would not encourage many new farmers to enter this sector of farming.” 

He added: “Here in Kilkenny, the sad fact is that there is no new blood getting involved in the sheep industry, and many of the existing farmers are talking of reducing breeding ewe numbers.”

Butchers paid up to €194 for a lot of 16 weighing 60kg at the top of the trade, while a lot of six weighing 59kg made €185, and seven at 53kg sold for €183. The factory-type lambs made up to €119 over.