After a period of continued price positivity since late November, this week's sheep trade has seen prices pulled with cuts to lamb prices of up to 35c/kg and more in some cases.

Despite this, some of the smaller outlets have managed to hold their price quote for this week's sheep trade despite many larger outlets reducing their price offering later last week and into the start of this week.

Storm Éowyn wreaked havoc across the country and the clean up operation has been underway since the storm subsided on Friday afternoon. Most outlets have returned to processing today (Monday, January 27) including Kepak Athleague in Co. Roscommon.

Ballon Meats in Co. Carlow is quoting €9.20/kg for lambs this week and €5.00/kg for ewes.

Kildare Chilling has no quote for lambs and is quoting €4.90/kg plus a 10c/kg Quality Assurance (QA) bonus for ewes with carcass weights ranging from 25-40kg leaving €5.00/kg on offer for these.

Ewes with a carcass weight below 25kg are being quoted at €4.40/kg plus a 10c QA bonus leaving €4.50/kg on offer for these. Stock rams are being quoted at €3.50/kg up to 43kg.

Irish Country Meats (ICM) is quoting €8.70/kg plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for lambs leaving €8.90/kg on offer here. Ewes are being quoted at €5.00/kg.

Kepak Athleague is quoting €8.60/kg plus a 15c/kg QA bonus for lambs leaving €8.75/kg on offer here. This outlet is quoting €4.80 and €4.90/kg for ewes and lambs respectively.

Some procurement staff have told Agriland that the high prices have reduced the level of demand for lambs hence why prices have fallen back. Despite this, prices have managed to hold at some of the smaller outlets.

Latest figures from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) show that as of Sunday, January 19, the total sheep kill to date this year stood at just over 110,600 head down over 45,000 head or 29% from the 155,700 head slaughtered in the same time period of 2024.