Easter demand boosts lamb prices

Marts: New season lamb and hogget prices are benefiting from improved trade with increases for both categories at factories as the busy Easter demand approaches.

Spring lamb prices are showing the first increase in quotes since the opening of the trade for 2006 at a disappointing 476 cents/kg (170pence/lb), from a producers point of view, being considerably back on 2005.

An increase of 6c/kg (2p/lb) was quoted as a base price for spring lamb yesterday at Kepak, Hacketstown with 482c/kg on offer, while Kepak, Athleague moved up to 484c/kg, before the addition of bonus payments of 6c/kg (2p/lb) where applicable.

The increase has brought the quoted prices closer to the prices producers have been negotiating with the processors for over the past week at up to 500c/kg (179p/lb).

Hogget prices have increased by 8-16c/kg (2p-6p/lb) bringing base price to 378c/kg (135p/lb).

In the marts, up to €53 over €/kg was paid for new season lamb at Kanturk Mart yesterday, where prices for the spring lamb ranged from €47 over. Butchers hoggets ranged €33-€37 over and factory agents paid €20-€26 over for hoggets.

The trade is being driven by an increase in demand as processors build up stocks for the strong Easter demand and good demand for Irish supplies in France, created by the drop in lamb meat from Britain. Supplies from Britain have been lower over the past week, arising from industrial action by public servants resulting in a lower kill.

Irish lamb is selling at 420-430c/kg in France where an increase in demand is expected as consumers make Easter purchases, which should benefit Irish producers with strong demand over the coming days.