Quotes: The hogget trade has strengthened this week with base quotes rising by 60ckg to the range of €8.50/kg-€8.60/kg (plus QA bonus). Producers will larger numbers of hoggets that meet current market specifications have been able to negotiate slightly higher prices. Some processors are now quoting for spring lambs with prices in the region of €9.60/kg (plus QA bonus).
Prices: The average reported deadweight price last week (w/e 14th March) increased by 42c to €8.07/kg. Despite prices increasing by 66c in the past 6 weeks, the trade continues to trend behind the corresponding period last year when the reported deadweight price was €8.58/kg. Meanwhile in GB reported deadweight prices have increased further this week with a price increase of 56c/kg to €9.25/kg. Similarly, the trade in Northern Ireland has also improved with reported prices increasing by 25c to €7.50/kg. Looking at the Southern Hemisphere, trade has firmed in Australia with reported prices for heavy lambs increasing by 15c/kg to the equivalent of €6.79/kg last week. Meanwhile in New Zealand some downward pressure on the trade with reported prices back to the equivalent of €5.48/kg last week.
Throughput: Total sheep throughput in DAFM approved plants for week ending 14th March was 38,902, 11% behind the corresponding week in 2025. Current YTD throughput has fallen 4% behind 2025 levels to 425,923 head, with decreases in numbers across all categories of sheep 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.
Sheep Dashboards and Tables
Market Trends
See our weekly updated market trends.
