Quiet patch in UK, France hits prices

THERE is no good news this week for lamb producers, as prices dropped as much as 18 cent/kg (6p/lb) at the factories, and suffered a slide of up to e6 per head in the marts.

Although there is no over-supply of lambs, trade in Britain and France is going through a quiet patch, which is reflected in the Irish home price, while the domestic trade continues strong and should maintain the floor under the trade.

Base prices at the factories are ranging from 355 back to 353 cent/kg (127p or 126p/lb), following a price fall of 14 to 18 cent/kg (5p or 6p/lb) over the past week.