Steady trade and tight supplies keep hogget prices stable

Hogget prices at the factories remain unchanged, and suppliers are disappointed with the sluggish trade, which is hitting confidence in the depleted sector as margins come under severe pressure.

Producers’ expectations of a boost to the factory trade being delivered as the Ramadan celebrations got underway have been dashed.

Hogget prices at the factories remain unchanged, and suppliers are disappointed with the sluggish trade, which is hitting confidence in the depleted sector as margins come under severe pressure.

The factory base for hoggets is 750c/kg in general, plus the usual bonus for quality assurance, ranging from 10–20c/kg, depending on the individual factory.

The Muslim religious celebration of Ramadan, which commenced on Wednesday and runs for a month, have usually been good for a boost to the trade as demand lifted to supply the extra market demand.

There hasn't been a cent of increase for the suppliers this year, with factory and mart prices remaining unchanged. Expectations for the remaining weeks of the celebrations have therefore been dented.

Supplies are reported to be tight, which should benefit the trade. Entries for the live sales at the marts on Monday were down, and prices were just about stable.

There were 450 head on offer at Kilkenny on Monday, where the top price was €197 paid for a pen of 20 butchers’ hoggets weighing 60kg.

A lot of 20 at 59kg sold for €193, while 26 in the lot weighing 58kg made the same price. A pen of 20 weighing 50kg made €190. The factory-type lots sold for up to €128 over.

At Corrin on Monday, there was a top price of €191 for a pen of nine butchers’ hoggets weighing 53kg, while a lot of 13 weighing 57kg made €184 and a pen of 12 at 57kg made €182.