The sheep trade remains solid, despite a slight easing in some cases in average prices paid.
Factory agents have been trying hard over the last week to reduce prices, but have continually met opposition and, in many cases, have been forced to concede some ground to secure supplies, with numbers still relatively tight.
A high percentage of lambs have traded in recent days in a price bracket of €7.80/kg to €8/kg, with top prices rising 5c/kg to 10c/kg higher in deals involving large numbers or where conformation bonuses or allowances on transport are take into account.
Plants are trying hard as the week progresses to curtail top prices to €8/kg. Base quotes for Thursday have reduced on average to €7.55/kg to €7.70/kg, excluding quality assurance (QA) bonuses.