Exceptional lamb prices in a very strong mart trade
The trade for hoggets has slipped, with the focus on the steadily increasing spring supplies. However, the ending of retention is also bringing more hoggets to market.
A base price of up to 504 cents/kg (180p/lb) was available for the spring supplies at the factories early this week, with prices ranging from 490 cents/kg (175p/lb).
IFA Sheep Committee Chairman, Larry Fallon has been advising spring lamb producers to hold out for higher prices, due to the favourable supply-demand balance.
Bord Bia reported this week that the trade in the UK was a little weaker over the past week and with an increase in supplies, prices fell through the week to close at 460 cents/kg (164p/lb) equivalent, including VAT.
The French market was well supplied over the past week with Spanish and French milk lambs on offer in larger quantities.
Irish spring lambs were making up to 520 cents/kg (186p/lb).
In the marts, some exceptional prices were paid in a very strong trade. There was a flying trade at Fermoy on Monday, where up to 80 over was paid for spring lambs. A lot of four weighing in at 50 kg made 130 per head, and several other lots made more than 120 per head.
There was 1,540 head on offer at Kilkenny, where spring lambs made up to 60 over 1/kg, and at Athenry, the spring lambs sold for up to 62 over.
