Processors replenish stocks

TRADE for lambs/hoggets opened firm at factories this week, with prices slightly improved on the pre-Christmas trade, mostly driven by scarcity of supply.

Base prices are ranging from 358 back to 344 cents/kg (128p to 123p/lb) an improvement of up to 8 cents/kg (3p/lb) on the pre-Christmas prices.

In the marts, the same trend was showing on Monday, with lamb prices improved by one of two euro per head, in response to strong demand.