Cull ewe trade lifts ahead of Ramadan

Cull ewes have been achieving strong prices at auction, with buyers keen to secure supplies and demand likely to remain firm in the build up to Ramadan.

Cull ewes averaged £135/head at auction marts in England and Wales in the first week of February, up by £8.70 on the previous week.

This uptick in prices appears to be demand-driven. Supplies increased by 28% on the week, with 27,000 ewes coming forward, according to figures from the Livestock Auctioneers Association.

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Competition among buyers at some auction markets is reportedly fierce, with several of the larger cull ewe buyers repeatedly outbidding smaller competitors and creating a hold on the market.

Ramadan, which is expected to begin around 17 February and continue until mid-March, could add further support to prices.

Mutton and lamb play a key part in Muslim diets, especially during religious festivals such as Ramadan, and the AHDB estimates that Muslims account for roughly 20% of lamb volume sales.

John Walton, an auctioneer at Longtown Auction Mart, said the cull ewe trade had been firm for five to six months now and prices were strong for the time of year.

“The very plain ewes are very dear, and the very best Texel ewes are a big price as well,” he said.

Signs of promise

Mr Walton suggested that Ramadan could have a bit of an influence on future prices, with trade likely to lift as the fasting period came to an end in March.

“Numbers will be tighter, and the demand will increase, so it shows signs of promise if you have got ewes to sell.”

A total of 3,374 cast ewes and rams went under the hammer at Longtown on 5 February.

Heavy ewes peaked at £340/head and averaged £156/head, while lighter ewes sold to a top price of £164/head and averaged £110/head.

Bentham Auction Mart also had a strong trade for cull ewes in the past week, with plenty of top-end ewes in the region of £250-£300/head. Medium types averaged £110 with plain ewes at £60-£80/head.

Auctioneers at Bentham said a huge show of cast sheep saw all classes in strong demand and selling at increased rates with new buyers in attendance.

At Skipton Auction Mart on 9 February, cull ewes averaged £147/head, with Suffolks selling to a top price of £254.50/head and Texels topping at £339/head.

Cull ewe prices have also improved across the Irish Sea, with Headford Mart in Galway reporting strong demand and a very firm trade.

Cull ewes at Headford were selling for €1.53/kg (£1.33/kg), the equivalent of €110/head (£96/head), on 7 February.