Hogget quotes have increased by 60c/kg since last week with top prices now at €9/kg.
The jump in price occurred in two stages with factories struggling to attract required numbers forward and keep pace with a vibrant live trade.
With greater numbers heading for live sales agents were given licence to increase prices offered over the weekend with further upward movement for Thursday.
Base quotes are in the region of €8.60/kg plus respective quality assurance (QA) payments of 10c/kg to 20c/kg.
Sellers trading through producer groups are being offered prices ranging from €8.80/kg to €8.95/kg while at the top end of the market sellers handling big numbers possessing are negotiating €9/kg and higher.
Spring lamb prices
The first sign of spring lamb prices have also been unveiled this week with the two Irish Country Meats (ICM) plants in Camolin and Navan offering a base of €9.60/kg plus 20c/kg QA.
Numbers coming on stream are expected to be small with plants looking to service a limited demand for the Easter market.
A number of plants are also in the market for a niche milk lamb offering in export markets for carcases ranging from 10kg to 14kg.
There has also been upward movement in the ewe trade with ICM increasing its quote by 50c/kg to join Ballon Meats on €5/kg.
Northern Ireland prices
Prices in Northern Ireland continue to track ahead of Ireland following a jump of 50p/kg in base quotes.
Factories in Northern Ireland are quoting £7.90/kg to £8/kg (€9.11 to €9.23/kg) with agents trying to ward of interest from buyers keen to export lambs to Ireland and Britain.
The number of sheep exported to Ireland last week increased by 1,600 head to over 5,200.
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