Factory agents are working hard to maintain a united front and resist pressure to significantly increase prices quoted to producer groups and farmers.
There has been a slight increase in base quotes in a bid to try and appease sellers and keep numbers moving direct to slaughter.
Lamb quotes increased at the start of the week by 10c/kg to a base of €7.80/kg plus the general quality assurance payment of 20c/kg.
Factories are resisting pressure to further increase base quotes.
While beef quotes also increased by 10c/kg in the main and 20c/kg in cases with bullocks quoted at a base of €6.60/kg to €6.70/kg and heifers upwards of €6.80/kg.
It is clear, however, that sellers with greater negotiating power are securing prices well above the base quoted which is frustrating producer groups who are delivering lambs to a tight specification.
Prices in marts have moved on at a faster rate on both the lamb and beef front with factory agents dipping into a tighter supply pool to try and boost numbers.
Some mart managers report lamb prices increasing by as much as €4 to €6 per head with the general increase being €2 to €5 per head.
The greatest increase is seen in marts with a strong wholesale trade with such buyers outcompeting factory agents.
Prices reported at the higher end of the market range from the mid-€180s to mid-€190s for heavier-fleshed lambs weighing over 50kg with heavy lambs topping €200 per head in cases.
Sales reliant on factory agents are witnessing prices ranging from the high €170s to mid-€180s with keener competition pushing prices higher.
SHARING OPTIONS