Sheep trade in Ireland: Spring lamb and hogget quotes drop by 50c/kg

Cuts to spring lamb and hogget prices have continued as 50c/kg has been taken off their base prices this week. This week, base hogget prices are at €7/kg, with some processors not quoting at all, while spring lamb prices are ranging from €8/kg to €8.20/kg. A year ago, base prices for hoggets were being quoted at €6.60/kg, while spring lambs were fetching a price of between €7.50-7.70/kg. Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) sheep chair Adrian Gallagher has said that factories have “moved too far and too soon on lamb price and have effectively led the price down,” and added that “this must stop”. In the mart trade this week, Kilkenny Mart manager George Candler said that the sheep sale today had “reduced numbers” but added that the trade for quality butcher and wholesale type lambs remained strong. “The dramatic drop in quotes may have scared off a few potential sellers but the better weather means that a lot of jobs have still to be done around the farm.” Meanwhile from today, sheep ...