Hogget prices at Irish factories have seen a significant increase, rising by 25-30c/kg this week, with some producers reaching prices as high as €6.50/kg, especially with larger numbers. Ewe prices have also increased, reaching up to €3.60/kg for the higher end. Kildare Chilling and Irish Country Meats have increased their hogget quotes to €6.20/kg and €6.05/kg respectively, both including a QA bonus. The variation in ewe prices is beginning to increase due to some processors having more jobs for ewes than others. In the four weeks ending February 25, a total of 368,700 hoggets and 49,900 ewes have been slaughtered, slightly ahead of last year's figures.