Spring lambs down €20/head

Marts: Spring lamb prices have suffered a tumble which has taken producers by surprise and left them feeling very angry at the scale of the decline.

Losing up to 40c/kg (15p/lb) at the factories has taken the shine off the new season lamb prices at the factories which were being quoted at a base of 524-520c/kg (187p-186p/lb) yesterday, down from the 560c/kg (200p/lb) which was being quoted for supplies up to the weekend.

Prices being paid for spring lambs at the live mart sales are more variable. A sharp decline of €20/head at some centres is matched by a more stable trade at other locations.