This week's sheep trade has seen some of the lower price offerings for factory-fit sheep increase, while top-end of the trade has held at a similar level to last week.

At the higher-end of the trade, up to €5.20/kg is available for cull ewes while official quotes for hoggets are at €9/kg across the board in general. Some farmers have reported to Agriland that deals are being done for hoggets in the region of €9.30/kg.

There had been some speculation early last week that hogget factory prices would have increased further by this week as Ramadan approaches on Friday, February 28, but as of today (Monday, February 17) this has not materialised.

Kepak is quoting €4.90-5/kg for cull ewes and €9/kg for Quality Assured (QA) hoggets. This outlet is paying up to 23.5kg carcase weight on hoggets.

Irish Country Meats (ICM) is quoting €5/kg for cull ewes and €8.80 plus a 20c/kg QA bonus for hoggets leaving €9/kg on offer for hoggets here.

Kildare Chilling is quoting up to €5.20/kg for choice grades of cull ewes and has no official quote for hoggets this week.

Ballon Meats in Co. Carlow is quoting €5.20/kg for cull ewes and €9/kg for hoggets.

There were a total of 450 sheep on offer at Kilkenny Mart on Monday, February 17, with "a stronger trade all round" according to Kilkenny Mart's George Candler.

The hogget trade peaked at €239/head for a batch of five hoggets with an average weight of 74kg equating to €3.23/kg. Cull ewes ranged in price from €115-240/head.

Another pen of 21 hoggets with an average weight of 50kg sold for €4.04/kg or €202/head.

A batch of 10 store lambs with an average weight of 40kg sold for €168/head or €4.20/kg. Another five store lambs with an average weight 35kg sold for €153/head or €4.37/kg.