This week's sheep trade has seen powerful prices continue post-Easter, with most outlets holding their spring lamb, hogget, and ewe price offers at the same levels as last week.

Easter-time traditionally sees a spike in consumer demand for lamb and farmers had been concerned price offers may fall in the week following the holiday.

The welcome price lifts have seen hogget prices rise by €1.30/kg or almost €30/head in the past six weeks and have helped restore much-needed sheep farmer confidence in the sector.

Sheep kill numbers are running on par with last year with a total of over 525,000 sheep slaughtered as of March 29.

In week 13 this year (week ending Sunday, March 29), 46,600 sheep were slaughtered, up 2,200 head or 5% on the same week of last year.

Sheep trade: Factory prices

This week, Kepak is quoting €8.85/kg plus a 15c/kg Quality Assurance (QA) bonus for spring lambs, leaving €9.00/kg on offer up to 23kg carcass-weight.

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

Kepak is quoting €10.00/kg for spring lambs this week up to 20.5kg carcass-weight.

Irish Country Meats (ICM) is quoting €8.80/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for hoggets, leaving €9.00/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 €8.90/kg plus a 10c/kg QA bonus for hoggets, leaving €9.00/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.

The outlet is quoting €5.20/kg plus a 10c/kg QA bonus for cull ewes from 35-43kg carcass-weight leaving €5.30/kg on offer here, and €5.00/kg plus a 10c/kg QA bonus for cull ewes from 25-35kg carcase weight leaving €5.10/kg on offer here.

Lighter ewes will be priced on valuation.

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.