In the lead-up to the holiday period, factory agents have been making last-minute deals to help fill remaining Christmas orders. Despite activity, factories continue to try to keep a lid on prices, with deals ranging widely between farmers.
In the lead-up to the holiday period, factory agents have been making last-minute deals to help fill remaining Christmas orders.
Despite activity, factories continue to try to keep a lid on prices, with deals ranging widely between farmers.
Top prices paid for lambs this week were up to €5.10/kg to 23kg carcase weight.
In the main, farmers are securing €5.00/kg, but €4.90/kg is still frequently offered, especially for smaller numbers.
In terms of quotes, the majority of factories have held steady on last week.
However, Kildare Chilling dropped its quote by 10c/kg and is now at a base of €4.80/kg (plus 10c quality assurance (QA)).
Irish Country Meats is on a base of €4.75/kg (plus 10c QA) and Kepak is on a base of €4.80/kg (plus 5c QA).
Ballon Meats is on a base of €4.90/kg and Moyvalley is not quoting, as it will not be killing lambs for the rest of the year.
That said, purchasing remains brisk and farmers are still negotiating higher prices after shopping around.
Last week’s total sheep kill was steady at 65,212 head, down 5% on the same period in 2017.
Activity will slow down a lot over the holidays, but prices are not expected to change dramatically over the next two weeks.
Christmas slaughter days
Farmers should confirm slaughter times with plants and ensure they are not making a wasted journey before sending lambs to the factory.
Every plant has a different kill schedule and some are not operating at all over the holidays. No plant will open on Christmas Eve.
Kepak, both Irish Country Meats plants and Kildare Chilling will open mid-way through the holiday period (27 and 28 December).
Dawn Ballyhaunis has not confirmed if it will open on those days and has advised farmers to call ahead before moving lambs.
Moyvalley and Ballon Meats will not be opening over Christmas or new year. Irish Country Meats and Kildare have confirmed that they will open for New Year’s Eve. All plants will be back to routine business from Wednesday 2 January 2019.
NI
Some factories have increased quotes by 5p/kg to £4.10/kg (€4.79/kg including VAT at 5.4%).
The number of lambs coming down south for direct slaughter from the north is not slackening.
Just over 10,400 lambs were sent south, up 1,760 on the same period in 2017.
The total number of lambs imported from Northern Ireland so far this year has reached 419,950 head, up 8% on 2017 levels.
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Sheepwatch: positive end to the mart trade
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