There is more life in the sheep trade in recent days, but it is largely confined to sellers handling large numbers or trading at the top end of the market.
This leaves top hogget prices in the region of €7.90/kg and a shade higher in cases.
Prices paid to producer groups and farmers with lower negotiating power are unchanged at a range of €7.70/kg to €7.80/kg, leaving producer groups frustrated that they are not being fully rewarded for delivering sheep to tight specification.
The static price is stemming from base quotes remaining unchanged at a range of €7.50/kg to €7.60/kg or an opening price of €7.60/kg to €7.70/kg for quality assured hoggets.
There is also more life reported in the live trade, with average prices firming by €1/head.
Hoggets weighing 50kg to 54kg range from €172 to €178 on average, with top-quality and heavier lots hitting €180/head and rising on occasion to €182 to €185/head where there is an active butcher and wholesale trade.
Ewe trade
A number of mart managers are also reporting more life in the cull ewe trade. While a high percentage of ewes continue to trade from €2.05/kg to €2.15/kg, there is a greater number of top-quality ewes selling to €2.20/kg to €2.30/kg.
Factory quotes are unchanged and range in the main from €4.30/kg to €4.50/kg. But top-quality ewes are selling to a top of €5/kg.
Northern Ireland
The trade in Northern Ireland is solid, with agents purchasing sheep for export to Britain buoyed by rising demand for the Ramadan festival.
Reports indicate that processors are trying to condition sellers to prices reducing as the week progresses, but this will depend on demand. Current prices remain in the region of £6.50/kg to £6.60/kg.
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