Sheep Prices May
Factories across Northern Ireland increased sheep prices this week, with a further hike on the cards for next week (May 2022).
According to the LMC (Livestock and Meat Commission), quotes from the major NI plants for spring lambs this week ranged from 610-635p/kg up to 21kg, following last week’s declines.
A spokesperson for the commission says that it expects factories to put between 610-650p/kg on the table for spring lambs next week.
In the same week in 2021, plants quoted in the region of 620-640p/kg up to 21kg.
In a statement, a spokesperson said:
“The deadweight spring lamb price in NI last week was up 10.3p/kg to 599.5p/kg. Meanwhile, in the ROI, the combined lamb/hogget deadweight price was up 9.6p/kg to 635p/kg.”
Lamb/hogget throughput in NI plants last week amounted to 6,605 head, similar levels to the previous week, which was down 428 head compared to the same week in 2021.
During this period, 7,033 lambs/hoggets were slaughtered in plants in Northern Ireland.
Meanwhile, exports of lambs/hoggets to ROI for direct slaughter last week stood at 2,805 head. Based on this data, this was a drop of 445 head from the previous week.
Sheep prices in marts
According to the commission, a “firm” trade prevailed for increasing lamb numbers across marts in Northern Ireland this week.
In Massereene on Monday, 206 lambs sold from 600-624p/kg compared to 140 lambs selling from 578-605p/kg the week prior.
In Saintfield this week , 25 lambs fetched from 595-640p/kg compared to 245 lambs last week selling from 580-620p/kg.
On Wednesday in Ballymena a good entry of 853 lambs changed hands from 590- 638p/kg (avg 605p/kg) compared to 502 lambs last week selling from 570-619p/kg (avg 590p/kg).
Meanwhile, the “strong” trade for cull ewes continued with top reported prices ranging from £174-£236 across marts.
To share your story, email Catherina Cunnane – [email protected]
 across plants/factories in Northern Ireland this week (May 2022).){kind=link}