A slight increase in demand for hoggets was shortlived, with agents returning to their normal level of appetite.

The marginal boost delivered from factories sourcing hoggets for the Islamic religious festival of Ramadan is reflected in last week’s kill rising by just 1,411 head to reach 41,200 head.

Last year’s throughput in advance of Ramadan from an equally low throughput point increased by over 10,000 head to reach 48,744.

ADVERTISEMENT

Reports indicate that demand from the market was subdued, but also points to processors not wanting to alter current trading dynamics greatly by having to increase activity in a stagnant supply and marketplace.

This leaves base quotes remaining unchanged at a range of €7.60/kg to €7.70/kg for quality assured hoggets.

Regular sellers and groups continue to secure €7.80/kg, while those handling big numbers and trading at the higher end of the market and groups with a higher payment system are in cases being paid €7.85/kg to €7.90/kg.

Throughput in the year to date is running 4% or 9,333 head higher than the corresponding week in 2025, but upwards of 10,000 lower than the average of recent years.

While weekly hogget throughput was up 1,917 head, throughput of ewes and rams was about 500 lower.

Ewe trade

Ewe quotes in the majority of plants remain at €4.30/kg to €4.50/kg. There are some deals being negotiated to €4.60/kg, but numbers are small with some plants showing very little interest in ewes.

At the top end of the market, Ballon Meats continues to pay €5/kg for choice types.

Northern Ireland

Base quotes in factories in Northern Ireland are steady to firmer at £6.50/kg. This is the equivalent of €7.50/kg and when compared with the equivalent Irish farmgate hogget price with VAT removed but QA payments included is running 10c/kg to 20c/kg higher.

The latest Bord Bia sheep price dashboard for week of 7 February shows British prices of €8.13/kg running over 70c/kg higher than the comparable Irish price.

French farmgate prices have eased slightly in recent weeks to €9.73/kg, with Spanish prices also falling under the €11/kg mark and reducing to €10.77/kg. Meanwhile, Australian lamb is averaging €6.37/kg and New Zealand €5.58/kg.

Getting back to Northern Ireland, the greater appetite displayed by factories in recent weeks and 20p/kg to 30p/kg increase in price has resulted in more sheep slaughtered in plants there, with last week’s kill jumping by almost 2,400 head to reach 11,432.

There was no updated figures on exports to Ireland and Britain, but reports indicate there was more sheep exported towards the British market. The average carcase weight of hoggets slaughtered last week was 28.86kg.