Hogget sales have been sparse in the past week due to weather disruption of sales. In recent days, the trade has continued to be strong once again, with plenty of factory agents actively sourcing numbers.

The south and east have seen the strongest trade in recent days, with low entries of fleshed hoggets being met with very strong demand.

Heavy hoggets over 50kg are selling in general from €120 to €135 per head. The covering of flesh is the main driver behind the price difference, with many mart managers reporting strong demand for well-fleshed heavy hoggets. Prices are up slightly on last week once again, with an increase of €1 to €2/head recorded at the top of the market. Hoggets from 48kg to 50kg with a little less flesh are selling from €105 to €114/head.

With reduced farmer activity in many areas, the store trade has eased slightly. Hoggets from 37kg to 42kg are selling mainly from €95 to €103/head, back about €2/head on last week. Those from 34kg to 37kg are selling mainly from €82 to €88/head, back again by a few euros per head.

Ewes with lambs at foot are being met with firm demand, but there continues to be a wide variation in prices, depending on the number of lambs at foot and the age of the ewes. Good-quality second- and third-crop ewes with twin lambs at foot are selling from €160 to €200. Younger and better-quality ewes with strong lambs at foot are reported to be selling from €220 to €250.

Older ewes and those with single lambs at foot are achieving prices of €120 to €150/head, with top-quality lots making over €170/head. Cull ewes are selling mainly from €90 to €120, with heavy ewes making over €130/head at some sales.