Sheep Trade & Prices

Quotes: Base quotes from most major processors for lambs are in the region of €8.80/kg (plus QA bonus).  Producers with larger numbers of lambs that meet current market specifications have been able to negotiate slightly higher prices. Most factories have increased the carcass weight limit by 0.5kg to 22kg

Prices: The average reported deadweight price last week (w/e 25^th July) has recovered by €0.04/kg to €8.74/kg. Trade is €0.88/kg ahead of the corresponding period last year when the reported deadweight price was €7.85/kg. Meanwhile in GB reported deadweight lamb prices have recovered this week with prices up by €0.02/kg to €9.49/kg. Irish Prices have dropped by €0.45/kg within a month, while the GB price has fallen by €0.58/kg over the same period, signalling pressure across markets from factors such as grass availability. Looking at the Southern Hemisphere, trade is strong in Australia however, reported prices for heavy lambs decreased by the equivalent of €0.11/kg to €6.96/kg last week. In New Zealand, prices have grown marginally, with an increase of €0.02/kg to €6.05/kg recorder last week.

Throughput: Total sheep throughput in DAFM approved plants for week ending 25^th July was 42,845, 17% ahead the corresponding week in 2025. Tight grass availability has contributed to lower carcass weights this summer, amid the current heatwave. Current YTD throughput has fallen 4.1% behind 2025 levels to 1,155,248 head, with decreases in numbers of lambs contributing to this trend.