There is finally some upward movement in the lamb trade, with the two Irish Country Meats (ICM) plants in Camolin and Navan increasing their base quote by 10c/kg to €7.60/kg plus the group’s 20c/kg quality assurance (QA) payment.

Kildare Chilling remains on a base of €7.60/kg plus 10c/kg QA, while Ballon Meats also remains on its all-in quote of €7.80/kg.

Reports also indicate there is no movement in plants in the west not officially quoting. The upward movement by ICM is undoubtedly going to put pressure on competing plants to follow suite.

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The move lifts producer group returns closer to €7.90/kg for many groups or above this figure for plants with a higher group bonus payment.

There had been a greater appetite for lambs since the end of last week, with more reports of regular sellers and those handling large numbers securing €7.90/kg to €8/kg with greater frequency.

Agents are keen to tie into such deals, as it takes the pressure off to compete for lambs amid tightening supplies.

Last week’s sheep kill increased marginally by 622 head to reach 38,433.

It is the first time since May that the kill exceeded the corresponding week in 2024, with throughput lagging over 430,000 head behind last year’s kill.

The ewe kill is on a par to 2024 and remains at a relatively low level of just 37,719 head.

The cull ewe trade is also unchanged, with the majority of plants working in the region of €4.40/kg to €4.50/kg for good ewes.

Some plants continue to discount on light-carcase ewes, with cuts starting anywhere from 35kg downwards, while the majority are also quoting substantially lower for ewes killing out at fat score one.

At the other end of the quality spectrum, prices for top-end ewes are rising to €4.80/kg to upwards of €5/kg in plants and abattoirs specialising in the ewe trade.

Northern Ireland

The trade in Northern Ireland remains steady, with base quotes unchanged at £6.40/kg or the equivalent of €7.27/kg.

Groups and regular sellers are receiving 10p/kg to 15p/kg higher, with keen competition in the market from buyers sourcing sheep to export to Britain or for direct slaughter in plants in Ireland.

Young farmers

The Kepak group has launched a new Young Sheep Farmer Producer Group.

The initiative is open to existing and new Kepak suppliers under 35 years of age who are registered as the flock owner or the flock keeper of a Bord Bia Quality Assured (QA) sheep flock.

Bonus payments on in-spec lambs on top of the current 15c/kg QA payment include 20c/kg on O and R grade carcases within desired specifications plus 30c/kg on E and U grade carcases along with a bonus payment of 10c/kg on cull ewe carcases.