The sheep trade is holding quite positively. While some areas saw prices slip by €1 to €2/head, others are reporting prices recovering.

With numbers increasing, satisfaction on prices is much higher so far this year, compared with last year.

Heavy butchers’ lambs over 50kg are selling from €106 to €114, while slightly improved factory demand is seeing 45kg to 50kg lambs sell mainly from €94 to €102/head, depending on finish and cover.

Mart managers have said that, in the past week, there has been a little bit more bite in the trade, which is helping hold prices firm.

Those from 40kg to 45kg are seeing prices range mainly from €87 to €92/head.

Eid al-Adha

The Muslim Eid al-Adha festival begins on 31 August this year and runs to 4 September. As a result, export activity is ramping up, which is starting to have a positive effect on the trade also.

Demand for lighter store lambs continues to be strong, with buyers active all over the country. Good grass supplies has been the main driver of this. As a result, lambs from 30kg to 35kg are selling mainly from €70 to €77/head, while those from 35kg to 40kg are selling mainly from €77 to €87/head.

Demand for cast ewes, like store lambs, remain solid. Prices in the main are running from €60 to €80/head for thin and old types, while better-quality culls carrying flesh are selling from €80 to €110, with some choice lots making north of €120/head. Breeding sales have had a mixed start, with hoggets a little easier on last year’s level as farmers hold back on what they are willing to pay. Good-quality hoggets are selling from €160 to €190, with only excellent-quality lots above this. In contrast, ewe lambs are solid, with plenty of buyers in a hogget-producing enterprise competing.