The majority of factories are working off an opening base quote of €7.70/kg plus their 20c/kg QA payment. Prices in Dawn Meats have reduced 10c/kg to match last week’s quotes in Irish Country Meats plants.

There are hopes of the trade steadying following a significant period of downward pressure. Speaking at last week’s Irish Grassland Association event, Kepak’s David Mannion told farms that there were hopes that demand in the French trade will be boosted by the reopening of schools and a tightening in the supply of Spanish and French lamb in the market. Base quotes in Northern Ireland are unchanged at £6.60/kg to £6.70/kg (€7.73/kg to €7.85/kg) with a sharper tone to the live trade.

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