Sheep Trade & Prices

Quotes: Base quotes from most major are unchanged this week with lambs trading in the region of €7.90/kg to €7.95/kg (plus QA bonus), with most processors’ carcase limit at 22.5kg. Producers with larger numbers of lambs that meet current market specifications have been able to negotiate slightly higher prices.

Prices: The average reported deadweight price last week (w/e October 24^th) has decreased by €0.02/kg to €7.85/kg. Trade is €0.45/kg ahead of the corresponding period last year when the reported deadweight price was €7.40/kg. Meanwhile in GB reported deadweight lamb prices have increased marginally this week with prices up by €0.01/kg to €8.53/kg. The trade in Northern Ireland has risen by the equivalent of €0.01/kg to €7.81/kg. Irish prices have stabilised within the last month a month as prices fluctuated by just €0.03/kg, the same is true for prices in GB. Looking at the Southern Hemisphere, trade is strengthening in Australia, with reported prices for heavy lambs rising by the equivalent of €0.03/kg to €6.99/kg last week. In New Zealand prices have stabilised, with last week’s price recorded at €6.12/kg. Sheep production in both Australia and New Zealand continues to be constrained by flock reductions, land-use competition and weather-related challenges.

Throughput: Total sheep throughput in DAFM approved plants for week ending October 24^th was 42,909, 10% higher than the corresponding week in 2025. Market demand is now more closely aligned with available supplies. Current YTD throughput is on par with 2025 levels at 1,739,943 head.