This week's sheep trade sees hogget prices having moved on 20c/kg since last week with spring lamb and cull ewe quotes holding firm.

Trade remains in a good position for farmers with sheep to sell and prices are continuing to hold at peak levels after having lifted significantly ahead of Easter.

Most outlets are paying up to 21kg carcass weight for new season lambs and 23kg on hoggets.

Some butcher outlets are paying higher rates for choice lots of heavier lambs.

Sheep trade: Factory prices

This week, Kepak is quoting €10.00/kg for Quality Assured (QA) spring lambs up to 21kg carcass weight.

The Athleague, Co. Roscommon site is quoting €5.20-€5.30/kg for cull ewes.

Kepak is quoting €9.20/kg for hoggets this week up to 23kg carcass-weight.

Irish Country Meats (ICM) is quoting €9.00/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for hoggets, leaving €9.20/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 is quoting €9.00/kg plus a 10c/kg QA bonus for hoggets, leaving €9.10/kg on offer here up to 23kg carcass-weight.

Kildare Chilling is quoting €9.90/kg plus a 10c/kg QA bonus for spring lambs up to 21kg leaving €10.00/kg on offer here up to 21kg.

The outlet is quoting €5.40/kg plus a 10c/kg QA bonus for cull ewes from 35-43kg carcass-weight leaving €5.50/kg on offer here, and €5.00/kg plus a 10c/kg QA bonus for cull ewes from 25-35kg carcass weight leaving €5.10/kg on offer here.

Lighter ewes will be priced on valuation at the outlet.

Ballon Meats in Co. Carlow is quoting €9.00/kg for hoggets this week up to 23kg carcass-weight.

The outlet is quoting €5.40/kg for cull ewes this week.