Strong interest in sheep

There is still significant interest from meatpacking plants to slaughter sheep, but supply remains extremely limited. Some plants are offering up to 15 cents above the weekly reference price published by the Livestock Brokers Association, especially for ewes, if carcasses weigh less than 24 kilos. Lambs are approaching US$ 4.70 per kilo carcass weight, while ewes are trading around US$ 3.90.

Sheep slaughter declined for the second consecutive week. According to INAC data, 7,379 sheep were processed in the week ending July 5, about 1,700 fewer than the previous week, but in line with the level of activity seen in the same week last year. Lambs accounted for 3,430 head, or 47% of the total.

The most active sheep processing plants were San Jacinto (3,671), Las Piedras (1,671), and Bamidal (911).

In the first half of 2025, 299,641 sheep were slaughtered, marking a sharp year-on-year decline of over 121,000 head (-28.9%).