Despite the short week as a result of the October bank holiday Monday (October 28), lamb price has managed to increase again with further sheep trade positivity against a backdrop of strong demand.

Just under 39,000 lambs were slaughtered in the week ending Sunday, October 27, which was 10,000 lambs below the equivalent week of 2023.

According to the Bord Bia Irish sheep meat pricing, the average price paid in week 42 of this year was €7.41/kg. This marks an increase of €1.08/kg on the same week of last year.

The top prices reported to Agriland this week for lambs was €7.75/kg with an odd few reports of €7.80/kg being secured for lambs. Prices of €7.60-7.70/kg on the higher-end of the scale are more common this week.

Elsewhere, factories are quoting prices ranging from €7.50-7.60/kg for lambs up to 23kg carcass weight. These 'all in' prices are composed of a base price of €7.45 plus a Quality Assurance (QA) bonus of 15c/kg leaving €7.60 the all in price available in this case.

Ewes are being quoted at €3.80-3.90/kg at some outlets with other outlets quoting €4.00/kg plus a 10c/kg QA bonus bringing the offering to €4.10/kg here.

Carnew Mart in Co. Wicklow hosted its weekly general sheep sale on Thursday, October 24 with over 3,700 on offer.

Small store lamb prices were improved by €3-5/head, according to Carnew Mart's Eugene Clune who also said that the heavy, well-fleshed lambs and overall sheep trade continued to meet a strong trade.

Lambs weighing over 45kg ranged from €161-182/head while lambs in the 40-44kg weight bracket ranged in price from €132-161/head.

Lambs weighing from 35-40kg ranged in price from €129-148/head and lambs weighing from 30-34kg ranged from €116-139/head.

Breeding hoggets at the Co. Wicklow mart venue ranged from €170-220/head while breeding ewes ranged in price from €130-195/head and breeding rams ranged from €300-580/head.