Improvement in sheep prices

ANY week that there is an improvement in price is a good one for sheep producers and this week is delivering for sheep farmers who have been having a difficult season.

Prices at the factories have improved by 5-11 cents/kg (2p-4p/lb) on a week ago, which is in line with the improved return from the French market. In the marts there is very strong demand for butchers lambs with a surge in prices delivering up to €42 over €/kg.

The base price at the factories increased to 331 cents/kg (118p/lb) on Monday and gained a further 5 cents/kg on Tuesday to bring the price to 336 cents/kg (120p/lb). The supply of lambs to the factories has dropped to 12,000 head per week under the same time last year which with the increase in demand has put pressure on the processors. In Britain the trade improved over the past week.