An analysis of mart prices over the last week and discussions with mart managers shows there is some regional variability in the trade.
Some managers in the east are reporting numbers of well-fleshed lambs tightening significantly, with lambs weighing from 50kg to 54kg selling from €170 to €178 and rising to the mid-€180s for excellent-quality lots attracting butcher or wholesale buyer attention.
In contrast, the general run of prices in some sales in the west is from €168 to €175 for lambs weighing 50kg to 54kg and a few euro higher for the best-quality lots.
There is variation within regions, with butcher and wholesale buyers in a stronger position and edging out factory buyers for suitable sheep.
Numbers are tighter and this is also inserting more life into the trade for lighter fleshed lambs weighing 45kg to 47kg.
Prices range from €148 to €158/head for quality lowland types, with plainer-quality lots back to the low-€140s.
Demand for store lambs is unchanged in the main. Prices average in the region of €3.20/kg to €3.30/kg for well-presented store lambs, with those with a better cover of flesh selling to €3.40/kg in cases.
Poorer-quality and crossbred stores are selling from €3/kg to €3.15/kg.
Some mart managers report fewer buyers ringside for light lambs which are a long-term prospect or appear to have their growth stunted. Prices here have dipped below the €3/kg mark and range from €2.75/kg to €3/kg.
There are small numbers of tail-end hoggets appearing in some sales. Prices range from €160 to €200 for light and small-framed hoggets to €230 to €260/head for better-quality lots.
The ewe trade is also variable, with some marts reporting much more life and quality ewes selling from €2.20/kg to €2.45/kg.
Others are reporting a price range of €2.10/kg to €2.25/kg for similar types, with this dictated by competition ringside.
Ewes lacking flesh and heavier Scotch-type ewes are trading from €1.70/kg to €2/kg, while ewes in poor condition are selling back below €1.50/kg and as low as €1/kg for light Scotch ewes in poor condition.
An analysis of mart prices over the last week and discussions with mart managers shows there is some regional variability in the trade.
Some managers in the east are reporting numbers of well-fleshed lambs tightening significantly, with lambs weighing from 50kg to 54kg selling from €170 to €178 and rising to the mid-€180s for excellent-quality lots attracting butcher or wholesale buyer attention.
In contrast, the general run of prices in some sales in the west is from €168 to €175 for lambs weighing 50kg to 54kg and a few euro higher for the best-quality lots.
There is variation within regions, with butcher and wholesale buyers in a stronger position and edging out factory buyers for suitable sheep.
Numbers are tighter and this is also inserting more life into the trade for lighter fleshed lambs weighing 45kg to 47kg.
Prices range from €148 to €158/head for quality lowland types, with plainer-quality lots back to the low-€140s.
Demand for store lambs is unchanged in the main. Prices average in the region of €3.20/kg to €3.30/kg for well-presented store lambs, with those with a better cover of flesh selling to €3.40/kg in cases.
Poorer-quality and crossbred stores are selling from €3/kg to €3.15/kg.
Some mart managers report fewer buyers ringside for light lambs which are a long-term prospect or appear to have their growth stunted. Prices here have dipped below the €3/kg mark and range from €2.75/kg to €3/kg.
There are small numbers of tail-end hoggets appearing in some sales. Prices range from €160 to €200 for light and small-framed hoggets to €230 to €260/head for better-quality lots.
The ewe trade is also variable, with some marts reporting much more life and quality ewes selling from €2.20/kg to €2.45/kg.
Others are reporting a price range of €2.10/kg to €2.25/kg for similar types, with this dictated by competition ringside.
Ewes lacking flesh and heavier Scotch-type ewes are trading from €1.70/kg to €2/kg, while ewes in poor condition are selling back below €1.50/kg and as low as €1/kg for light Scotch ewes in poor condition.
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