Irish sheep market update
Irish Sheep Market Update
Week ending: 6 December 2025 | Ireland
Overview
Irish lamb prices held broadly steady this week, with base quotes unchanged and paid prices showing modest improvement. However, the trade continues to run behind December 2024 levels, while tightening supplies across Ireland, the UK and Europe remain a key feature of the market.
Processor Quotes
Base quotes for lambs were largely unchanged this week:
Base quotes: €7.60–€7.70/kg (plus QA bonus)
Upper carcase weight limit: 22.5kg
Processors continue to report that higher prices are achievable for larger consignments of lambs that meet current market specifications.
Prices
Recent improvements in base quotes have fed through to paid prices.
Average Irish deadweight price (w/e 6 Dec): €7.56/kg
Weekly change: +3c/kg
December 2024 comparison: €8.14/kg
Despite the uplift, Irish prices remain well below last year’s December levels. In Great Britain, lamb prices strengthened further ahead of Christmas demand:
GB deadweight price: €8.14/kg
Weekly change: +4c/kg
Price gap vs early November: +60c/kg
In Northern Ireland, prices moved lower last week:
NI equivalent price: €7.13/kg
International Context
Southern Hemisphere markets showed mixed performance:
Australia: Heavy lamb prices fell 16c/kg to approx. €6.15/kg, driven by increased new-season supply and heavier carcase weights.
New Zealand: Prices eased marginally to €5.34/kg, with tighter availability and strong export demand providing stability.
Strong export performance and tighter processing supplies in both countries have narrowed the global price gap, impacting product competitiveness on European markets.
Throughput
Sheep throughput in DAFM-approved plants for the week ending 6 December remained similar to recent weeks.
Weekly lamb throughput: Marginally higher than late Nov/early Dec 2024
YTD throughput: –19% vs 2024
Declines are evident across all sheep categories, reflecting a structurally tighter supply environment.
Reduced lamb availability is not confined to Ireland. Population data from both the UK and wider Europe points to contracting flocks and lower output from the 2025 lambing season.
Source: Bord Bia | 6 January 2026
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