This week's sheep trade sees spring lamb price offers cut by 30c/kg in most cases, with other outlets reducing their price offer by 50c/kg since last Monday (May 25).

The Muslim festival of Eid al Adha took place early last week, which helped keep a firm base on both the mart and factory lamb trade.

Despite the recent factory price cuts, hogget prices remain above €9.00/kg, spring lamb prices remain at €9.50/kg or above and cull ewe prices remain at €5.00/kg or above, depending on the outlet.

Sheep trade: Factory prices

This week, Kepak is quoting €9.35/kg plus a €0.15c/kg Quality Assurance (QA) bonus for spring lambs leaving €9.50/kg on offer here up to 21kg carcass-weight again this week.

This price offer is down €0.50c/kg since last Monday.

The Athleague, Co. Roscommon site has reduced its cull ewe price offer this week also and is now quoting €5.00/kg for cull ewes this week.

Kepak has no quote for hoggets this week. Most of last year's lamb crop has been processed by now and larger numbers of this season's lamb are expected to come available over the coming weeks.

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 €5.00/kg for cull ewes this week.

ICM is quoting €9.50/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for spring lambs, leaving €9.70/kg on offer here up to 21kg. This price offer is down €0.30c/kg since last Monday.

Kildare Chilling (Dawn Meats Kildare) 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.

Kildare Chilling is quoting €9.50/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for spring lambs up to 21kg, leaving €9.70/kg on offer here up to 21kg. This price is back €0.30/kg on last week.

The outlet is quoting €5.10/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 €9.50/kg for spring lambs this week.

The outlet is quoting €5.30/kg for cull ewes this week.