There is slightly more life in the sheep trade this week, stemming from a 10c/kg increase in base quotes by Irish Country Meats (ICM).

The two plants in Camolin and Navan are now quoting a base of €7.70/kg plus their 20c/kg quality assurance (QA) bonus.

This leaves groups and regular sellers trading with ICM securing €7.95/kg to €8/kg for R grading lambs.

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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, with producers encouraged to negotiate hard to receive the higher prices being paid.

Ballon Meats continue to quote €7.80/kg all-in, while Kildare Chilling is quoting a base of €7.60/kg plus 10c/kg QA.

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

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

Agents purchasing in mart sales are also working hard to keep prices in check, though some sales have reported prices firming on average by €1 to €2/head.

All plants are now paying to 23kg carcase weight and continue to caution producers as to potential cuts for carcases in excess of 25kg or 27kg carcase weight (see page 32 for more).

Last week’s kill was recorded at 39,617 head. This is 5,609 head higher than the corresponding week in 2025, but it should be pointed out that throughput was lower in December 2024 and January 2025, with prices running €1/kg higher than current farmgate returns.

Ewe trade

Ewe throughput of just over 4,000 head was 70% higher than the corresponding week in 2025.

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

Deals are being completed at €4.60/kg to €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 or plants most active for ewes.

Northern Ireland

The trade in Northern Ireland is firm. Plants are opening negotiations at £6.45/kg to £6.50/kg (€7.45/kg to €7.50/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.

The latest figures published by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs shows 4,932 sheep exported to factories in Ireland for direct slaughter, with 2,441 to Britain.

Reports indicate numbers exported live under the breeding production health certificate to Britain could be equally as high with keen demand for ewes and heavier lambs. British prices are £7.20/kg (€8.31/kg).