This week's sheep trade has seen no movement in Irish price offers, with prices down by over 14% to date this year compared to last year.

According to Bord Bia figures, the average Irish lamb price to date this year stands at €7.52/kg (carcass-weight) down 14.3% or €1.25/kg on the average lamb price in 2025.

As of the week ending Saturday, February 7, the average Irish lamb price was €7.42/kg. In Spain, that price sat at €10.77/kg, while the French lamb price averaged €9.73/kg and UK lamb price was €8.13/kg.

There remains some level of confidence amongst farmers that prices will increase with the Muslim festival of Ramadan approaching, which traditionally brings a lift in demand for lamb.

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 and €5.00/kg for cull ewes again this week.

Factory sheep kill numbers to date this year are up 4% or 7,900 head on last year, with a total of 226,500 sheep slaughtered at Irish factories to date this year.