Hoggets push towards €10/kg as supplies tighten

Suppliers of larger numbers are reporting prices of up to 980–990c/kg for well-finished hoggets this week.

Demand for scarce supplies continues to drive the sheep trade to greater heights, with hogget prices edging closer to €10/kg for larger supplies.

It is all sunny skies for suppliers of hoggets to factories, as they benefit from a further increase of 30–40c/kg, along with higher carcass weights and a doubling of the quality assurance bonus at some plants.

Hoggets remain in strong demand to supply most factory intake. Base prices range from 930–950c/kg plus the quality assurance bonus, which Dawn has doubled to 20c/kg on both hoggets and spring lambs supplied this week to fall in line with other processors.

The cut-off carcass weight has also been increased to 23.5kg for hoggets.

Suppliers of larger numbers are reporting prices of up to 980–990c/kg for well-finished hoggets this week.

Some suppliers are attempting to negotiate an increase in the carcass cut-off weight of 21kg for new-season lambs.

Base quotes for spring lambs are unchanged at 980–990c/kg plus the 20c/kg QA bonus. Numbers are increasing slowly, but still have some way to go before overtaking hoggets.

There was a flying trade for the small entry of new-season lambs at mart sales on Monday.

Corrin Mart recorded a top price of €250 for a lot of spring lambs weighing 60kg. Another lot weighing 63kg sold for €240, while 61kg lambs made €238, and 11 59kg lambs sold for €236.