The hogget trade has burst into life over the last week with prices rising anywhere from €4 to €10 per head.

Factory base quotes are running €1.20/kg to €1.40/kg higher than the corresponding week in 2023 or the equivalent of €27 to €32 on a 23kg carcase.

Mart prices are booming, with hoggets selling from €25 to €40 per head higher year on year.

The latest boost in prices stems from a significant tightening in numbers with numbers running almost 7,000 head lower than the corresponding week in 2023, despite the jump in price.

A two-tiered differential is emerging in prices paid with base quotes for quality-assured hoggets ranging from €7.25/kg to €7.30/kg.