Factories urged to raise lamb prices

BASED on significantly improved market returns in France, factories could easily afford to increase lamb prices to more than €5/kg, according to IFA Sheep committee chairman Henry Burns.

He said Bord Bia has again reported an improved French market with prices ranging from €5.40/kg to €5.90/kg excluding VAT, equivalent to €6/kg including VAT.

Mr Burns said the factories are creaming off €2/kg or €40 per lamb, by holding down quoted prices at €4/kg.

“If the factories have any interest in maintaining a profitable sheep farming sector in Ireland, now is their chance to show solidarity with farmers and pass back the much improved market returns to producers,” he said.