There are sharply contrasting fortunes for producers selling cull ewes and hoggets over the last week. Demand for cull ewes is outstripping supplies, with live prices rising by 5c/kg to 10c/kg and deadweight prices as high as €6/kg are being paid.

In contrast, hoggets have endured another cut of 10c/kg in most plants. This leaves base quotes in the region of €8.60/kg to €8.70/kg for quality assured (QA) hoggets, with a high percentage of hoggets now trading between €8.70/kg and €8.80/kg and fewer reports above this range.

The exception to lower hogget quotes is Ballon Meats, which is quoting €8.80/kg for hoggets. The Carlow-based plant is also driving the trade for cull ewes, with its quote for Thursday rising by 20c/kg to €5.70/kg. Other plants are offering an open quote of €5/kg, but are paying anywhere from €5.20/kg to €5.40/kg and higher for specialist orders.

The mart trade for ewes is vibrant with live prices rising by 5c/kg to 10c/kg. Good-quality lowland ewes are selling in the main from €2.65/kg to €2.85/kg with select lots of well-conformed ewes rising to and exceeding €3/kg. The hogget trade in Northern Ireland also remains under pressure, with base quotes falling to £6.80/kg (€8.07/kg). This has resulted in a growing differential opening between prices there and in Britain, with the AHDB reporting prices steady at £7.45/kg (€8.73/kg).