This week's sheep trade has started off with prices on positive footing but hogget prices are expected to be reviewed for this Wednesday (April 29).

This morning (Monday, April 27), €9.60/kg is available for Quality Assured (QA) hoggets up to 23kg carcass-weight but this offer will be reviewed from midweek onwards.

As of Sunday, April 19, total sheep kill numbers are down 2% or almost 10,800 head on last year. In total, 645,900 sheep have been slaughtered to date this year.

Sheep trade: Factory prices

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

The Athleague, Co. Roscommon site is quoting €5.30-€5.40/kg for cull ewes.

Kepak is quoting €9.35/kg plus a €0.15c/kg QA bonus for hoggets this week up to 23kg carcass-weight, leaving €9.50/kg on offer here.

Kepak has said it expects its hogget price offer to be revised downwards to €9.30/kg for QA hoggets on Wednesday.

Irish Country Meats (ICM) is quoting €9.40/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for hoggets, leaving €9.60/kg on offer here up to 23kg carcass-weight.

ICM has also said it expects its hogget price offer to be revised downwards from Wednesday.

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 €9.40/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for hoggets, leaving €9.60/kg on offer here up to 23kg carcass-weight.

Kildare Chilling is quoting €10.00/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for spring lambs up to 21kg, leaving €10.20/kg on offer here up to 21kg.

The outlet is quoting €5.50/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 €9.30/kg for hoggets this week up to 23kg carcass-weight.

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