Sheepmeat exports slip by 5%: CSO

IRISH sheepmeat exports declined by 5% or almost 2,000 tonnes for the first eight months of 2006 compared to the same period last year, according to latest Central Statistics Office figures.

This decrease reflects a 3% fall in throughput levels for the January to August period, as well as strong home market demand so far this year.

An Bord Bia said France remains Ireland’s main export market, importing almost 21,000 tonnes of Irish produce between January and August. This was down 7% or 1,500 tonnes relative to last year as demand has been lower in France in 2006.

Shipments to Britain also fell during the period to just under 10,000 tonnes. This reflects a lower ewe throughput this year, down 11% at the end of August.

Supplies to December 2 remain down by just over 3% to 2.925 million head.

An Bord Bia said this has been due to lower ewe throughput, which is down over 12% or 60,500 head so far this year, as well as a fall of 1.6% or 41,953 head in lamb supplies.

Producer prices to date are up by over 2%. This reflects a stronger trade in May as well as good home market demand.

Meanwhile, an IFA delegation headed by its president Padraig Walshe and sheep committee chairman Henry Burns met Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan to discuss the sheep sector.

Mr Burns said Ms Coughlan recognises the need to apply an initiative on sheep to stabilise the sector and implement the recommendations of the Malone Strategy Group.

IFA Hill Committee representative John Kennedy, Donegal, said the viability problem in hill sheep mountain-grazing areas must be addressed.