In some cases, factories have stopped killing ewes to help boost lamb throughput to meet demand. This increased factory demand has helped keep the mart trade up. While some marts saw an easing of €1/head to €3/head, others saw little to no change in the average lamb price. Butchers lambs over 50kg sold mainly from €105 to €116 with prices averaging around €110/head. With factory demand strong, and with a higher throughput in some factories, prices are ranging from €100 to €105, with prices of up to €110 paid for lambs from 45kg to 50kg in some areas. Lambs from 40kg to 45kg were a steady trade and prices ranged mainly from €85/head to €90/head with most marts averaging from €87/head to €89/head. Store lambs from 35kg to 40kg sold mainly from €78/head to €83/head, with some lots making up to €89/head in some areas. Demand continues to be firm for store lambs. Those from 30kg to 35kg sold mainly from €62/head to €70/head.

With breeding sales in full swing, prices are back on last year. Hogget ewes are selling from €120 to €150, with €180 to €200 paid for choice lots at special sales. The trade for ewe lambs continues to be strong, with plenty of farmer buyers active. Prices are ranging mainly from €100 to €120 and up to €140 for top-quality types.

The cull ewe trade has eased slightly but continues to be quite strong. Prices of cast ewes are ranging mainly from €85 to €115 for fleshed types while feeding ewes are making from €55 for plain broken mouth types to €90 for good quality heavy ewes.