Bord Bia predicts market for sheep meat dependent on exchange rate

BORD BIA is predicting that the market environment for sheep meat this year will be largely dependent on developments in relation to the euro/sterling exchange rate and consumer demand.

Margaret McCarthy of the bord’s meat division, said Irish sheep meat availability is expected to fall by more than 6% in 2009, which will leave export volumes at just under 40,000 tonnes.

Ireland and France will remain the key markets for Irish sheep meat. In 2008, between them they accounted for 70% of total output. The domestic market now accounts for 30% of total output with annual consumption of around 20,000 tonnes.