Sheep Trade & Prices

Quotes: The hogget trade has softened this week with base quotes coming back by €0.10/kg to €9.30/kg (plus QA bonus).  Producers will larger numbers of hoggets that meet current market specifications have been able to negotiate slightly higher prices. Processors are now quoting for spring lambs with prices in the region of €9.80/kg-€10.00/kg (plus QA bonus). 

Prices: The average reported deadweight price last week (w/e 25^th April) increased by €0.18 to €9.35/kg. Trade has overtaken the corresponding period last year when the reported deadweight price was €8.63/kg. Meanwhile in GB reported deadweight prices have increased this week with a price shift of €0.02/kg to €9.71/kg. The trade in Northern Ireland has strengthened with reported prices rising by €0.26/kg to €8.91/kg. Looking at the Southern Hemisphere, trade has firmed in Australia with reported prices for heavy lambs however last week’s price dropped by the equivalent of €0.11/kg to €6.80/kg last week. Amid some downward pressure on the trade in New Zealand, prices improved by €0.07/kg to €5.32/kg last week.

Throughput: Total sheep throughput in DAFM approved plants for week ending 25^th April was 36,862, 12% ahead the corresponding week in 2025.  Current YTD throughput has fallen 2.7% behind 2025 levels to 670,189 head, with decreases in numbers of hoggets contributing to this trend. There have been indications of a stronger carryover of hoggets into 2026 which may contribute to a stronger hogget throughput in the first quarter of 2026.