IFA Sheep committee chairman Kevin Comiskey said we are approaching the end of hogget supplies. Spring lamb numbers are increasing, but still remain below last year’s levels.
He said hoggets are trading between €7.20/kg and €7.50/kg with factories still trying to buy spring lamb between €8.20/kg and €8.50/kg to 21/kg. Cull ewes are in very strong demand with top-end prices of €4.20/kg paid.
Comiskey said throughput in sheep factories to date at 1,092,853 is 15% up on last year. This is due to a significant increase in hogget numbers, up 26% (179,390) on last year while spring lamb throughput is back just under 20% (30,000) head.
He said the profile of the kill over the past few weeks has changed and is now dominated by spring lambs, which made up 29,217 of the total throughput of 48,669. The IFA sheep chairman said strong market returns from factories for spring lamb over the coming weeks will be critical to offset input costs and maintain confidence in the sector in advance of the store lamb trade later in the year.
Lamb price update – 2 June, 2022
Hogget €7.30/7.50/kg. Spring lamb €8.20/8.40/kg. Weights to 21kg. Higher deals groups/larger lots. Ewes €3.80/4.20/kg.