This week's sheep trade sees prices remain largely firm across the board as the Muslim festival of Eid Al Adha approaches next week.

The Muslim festival traditionally sees a strong demand for lamb, and some procurement staff have told Agriland they expect markets may not be as positive - for hoggets in particular - from next Wednesday, May 27.

Other procurement staff suggested trade could hold for the duration of next week at least whilst restocking takes place.

Most of the 2025-born lamb crop has been slaughtered by now and procurement staff are shifting more of their focus to this-season's supplies as prices of €10/kg and above remain widely available.

Sheep trade: Factory prices

This week, Kepak is quoting €9.85/kg 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 again this week.

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 €9.20/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for hoggets, leaving €9.40/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 €5.10/kg for cull ewes from 35-43kg carcass-weight, back 10c/kg on last week.

Lighter ewes will be priced on valuation at the outlet.

Ballon Meats in Co. Carlow is quoting €10.00/kg for spring lambs this week. The outlet has said it has finished sourcing hoggets.

The outlet is quoting €5.50/kg for cull ewes this week, up 10c/kg on last week.

Sheep trade at Kilkenny Mart

Kilkenny Mart hosted its weekly sheep sale today, Monday, May 18, with an "excellent trade for all sheep" recorded, according to auctioneer George Chandler.

He noted that exporters looking to acquire ram lambs were "very active" in the sale.

Spring lambs made from €4.85-€5.21/kg or €210-€256/head. A pen of 12 spring lambs with an average weight of 51kg sold for €256/head or €5.02/kg.

Another pen of 12 lighter spring lambs with an average weight of 46kg sold for €230/head or €5/kg.

Hoggets made from €3.39-4.22/kg or €180-258/head. A pen of 11 hoggets with an average weight of 59kg sold for €242/head or €4.10/kg.

Another pen of six hoggets with an average weight of 45kg sold for €190/head or €4.22/kg.