Demand for spring lambs has gone up significantly this week, with factories increasing base quotes by 20c/kg. Opening prices for quality assured (QA) lambs are in the region of €9.60/kg to €9.70/kg in plants, including Irish Country Meats, Dawn Meats/Kildare Chilling and Kepak. Higher returns are being paid in some cases to producer groups/regular sellers when bonus payments are included. Demand for lamb is being boosted by the Easter trade. While this demand is low relative to hogget throughput, so too is supply in the market and this is what is generating the current spike in competition. Prices are running 40c/kg or €8/head higher on a 21kg carcase than the corresponding week in 2024.