This week's sheep trade has seen no lift in hogget price offers from the main processors, with one smaller outlet reducing its offer for the week.

However, Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers' Association (ICSA) president Sean McNamara has said that he expects hogget prices to increase, and noted that the month-long Muslim festival of Ramadan is set to run from the evening of Tuesday, February 17 to Thursday, March 19.

Ramadan traditionally sees a lift in global demand for lamb, and McNamara is confident the festival will see a rise in demand for Irish products.

Sheep trade: Factory prices

This week, Kepak is quoting €7.50/kg plus a 15c/kg Quality Assurance (QA) bonus for spring lambs, leaving €7.65/kg on offer up to 23kg carcass-weight.

The Athleague, Co. Roscommon site is quoting €4.30-€4.40/kg for cull ewes again this week.

Irish Country Meats (ICM) is quoting €7.50/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for lambs, leaving €7.70/kg on offer here up to 23kg carcass-weight again this week.

The Navan, Co. Meath and Camolin, Co. Wexford-based outlets are quoting €4.30/kg for cull ewes again this week.

Kildare Chilling is quoting €7.50/kg plus a 10c/kg QA bonus for hoggets up to 23kg carcass-weight again this week.

Kildare Chilling is quoting €4.40/kg plus a 10c/kg QA bonus for cull ewes with carcass weights from 35-43kg.

For cull ewes from 25-35kg carcass-weight, Kildare Chilling is quoting €4.00 plus a 10c/kg QA bonus, leaving €4.10/kg on offer here.

Ballon Meats in Co. Carlow is quoting €7.60/kg for hoggets this week. This offer is down 20c/kg on last week.

The outlet is quoting €5.00/kg for cull ewes again this week.