This week's sheep trade sees price cuts to hoggets and spring lambs set into the trade as cull ewe prices remain largely firm.

Last Monday (April 27), there had been some talk from processors of hogget prices falling for the second half of last week and that price drop has now set into the trade.

At least one outlet has reduced its cull ewe price offer, with other outlets holding their cull ewe prices at the same level as last Monday and some having increased their cull ewe price since early last week.

Some of the higher spring lamb price offers from last week have reduced for this week while the lower offers from last week have held.

Sheep trade: Factory prices

This week, Kepak is quoting €9.85 plus a €0.15c/kg Quality Assurance (QA) bonus for spring lambs leaving €10.00/kg on offer here up to 21kg carcass-weight.

The Athleague, Co. Roscommon site is quoting €5.40-€5.50/kg for cull ewes.

Kepak is quoting €9.15/kg plus a €0.15c/kg QA bonus for hoggets this week up to 23kg carcass-weight, leaving €9.30/kg on offer here.

Irish Country Meats (ICM) is quoting €9.30/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for hoggets, leaving €9.50/kg on offer here up to 23kg carcass-weight.

The Navan, Co. Meath and Camolin, Co. Wexford-based outlets are quoting €5.30/kg for cull ewes again this week.

ICM is quoting €9.80/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for spring lambs leaving €10.00/kg on offer here up to 21kg.

Kildare Chilling (Dawn Meats Kildare) is quoting €9.20/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for hoggets, leaving €9.40/kg on offer here up to 23kg carcass-weight.

Kildare Chilling is quoting €9.90/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for spring lambs up to 21kg, leaving €10.10/kg on offer here up to 21kg.

The outlet is quoting €5.30/kg for cull ewes from 35-43kg carcass-weight.

Lighter ewes will be priced on valuation at the outlet.

Ballon Meats in Co. Carlow is quoting €9.30/kg for hoggets this week up to 23kg carcass-weight.

The outlet is quoting €5.50/kg for cull ewes this week.