Base quotes in Irish Country Meats (ICM) plants have moved 20c/kg ahead of official quotes in competing plants, following a 10c/kg increase over the weekend.

The plants are quoting a base price of €7.70/kg plus their 20c/kg quality assurance payment.

This leaves groups and regular sellers being paid in the region of €8/kg.

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Reports point to competing plants continuing to offer a similar base quote as last week but rivalling ICM for payments to groups and regular sellers.

All plants are now paying to 23kg carcase weight and are cautioning producers as to potential cuts for carcases in excess of 25kg or 27kg carcase weight.

Agents are trying to keep a lid on price at €8/kg in negotiations with sellers trading at the higher end of the market.

Sharper appetite

Some sellers are having success in securing €8.10/kg but numbers traded at this level remain relatively low.

Agents purchasing mart sales are also working hard to keep prices in check. While there is a sharper appetite, factory agents are trying to purchase lambs weighing upwards of 52kg in the region of €178 to €182.

The general run of prices for lambs traded in Kilkenny Mart on Monday were reported at €177-€182 for lambs weighing 51kg-54kg, with a couple of very heavy lots selling to upwards of €190 per head.

It was a similar trend in Ennis mart, which reported that the bestselling sheep were those weighing from 47kg-55kg with tempered demand above this weight.

Prices for lighter lambs weighing from 49kg-50kg and likely to deliver a lighter carcase weight were in the region of €172-€176 per head with heavier lots weighing from 52kg-5kg selling from €180-€184.

Ewe trade

The factory trade for cull ewes is unchanged with quotes remaining at €4.30/kg-€4.50/kg.

Deals are being completed at €4.60/kg-€4.70/kg with sellers handling large numbers while at the top end of the market upwards of €5/kg is being paid in abattoirs /plants most active for ewes.

Northern Ireland

The trade in Northern Ireland is firm. Plants are opening negotiations at £6.45/kg (€7.40/kg) but many sellers are securing upwards of £6.50/kg (€7.46/kg) with prices at the top end of the market rising 5p/kg to 10p/kg higher.

Demand remains robust from agents purchasing sheep for exporting live with significant numbers moving south for direct slaughter in plants in Ireland, while exports to Britain are a combination of sheep moving for direct slaughter or under the breeding / production health certificate.