Hogget prices cut again as pressure mounts on sheep sector

Prices have been reduced by 10–20c/kg, to the grave disappointment of suppliers, and the pressure has extended to live sales at marts, with prices back by up to €12hd at sales early this week.

Producers have been dealt another blow to confidence in the sector with a further cut to hogget prices at factories this week.

Prices have been reduced by 10–20c/kg, to the grave disappointment of suppliers, and the pressure has extended to live sales at marts, with prices back by up to €12hd at sales early this week.

Most factories are quoting 750c/kg for hoggets this week, with the quality assurance bonus adding 10–20c/kg as applicable at individual factories.

Suppliers, however, report they are getting up to 780c/kg, and in some deals for larger numbers, a few c/kg above this for good hoggets.

The disappointing trend in trade this year is in sharp contrast to a year ago, when hoggets were making 900c/kg and suppliers were optimistic of achieving well above that level.

Kilkenny auctioneer George Candler believes the current trend in the sheep sector is a killer for the industry.

“On the sheep front, prices were very disappointing — perhaps disheartening would be a better description — but a reduction in hogget prices of at least €10 per head compared to last week does nothing to boost confidence in this beleaguered section of farming,” he said.

Kilkenny Mart had a small entry of 420 head, with prices at the top end down by as much as €12hd. There was a top price of €180 for a lot of 15 butcher hoggets weighing 63kg. A lot of 10 weighing 55kg made €175, while 10 weighing 54kg sold for €174, and factory-type hoggets made up to €116.

The entry at Corrin Mart on Monday was also small, with prices under pressure. The top price of the sale was €180 for a lot of butcher hoggets weighing 53kg, while another lot weighing 54kg also sold for €180, and a pen weighing 64kg made €178.