Sheep Trade & Prices

Sheepmeat

Throughput: There were 53,185 sheep processed in DAFM approved plants during the week ending March 17th, 2023 taking the total for the year to date to 508,000 head. This is a 2.4% increase from the same period in 2022. The ewe/ram throughput meanwhile has increased by 8.4% to 63,000 head with high costs of production and reduced producer confidence contributing to this trend. Total sheep throughput for the year to date has totalled 571,060 head, a three per cent increase from the same period in 2022.

Prices: The deadweight lamb trade continued to increased last week (w/e March 17th, 2023 ) on the back of improved demand for lamb in the run up to the Ramadan festival. The reported price increased by 15c/kg to reach €6.41/kg. Despite the recent improvement in prices last week’s reported figure is 61c/kg below the corresponding week in 2022. The deadweight prices currently available are reflective of a more difficult trading environment for lamb than the corresponding period last year. Inflation pressures are impacting demand for lamb in key export markets and also on the domestic market, with weaker demand in particular for larger and more valuable cuts.